After a decade, Kelly's Jamaican restaurant on Athens' westside will close. Here's why.

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·1 min read
Kelbourne "Kelly" Codling is shown in this photo taken on April 25, 2022. Codling is the owner and chef at Kelly's Authentic Jamaican Food, which has been in business in Athens, Ga., since 1998.
Kelbourne "Kelly" Codling is shown in this photo taken on April 25, 2022. Codling is the owner and chef at Kelly's Authentic Jamaican Food, which has been in business in Athens, Ga., since 1998.

Chef Kelbourne "Kelly" Codling’s restaurant has weathered all kinds of changes in the 24 years he has been in business in Athens, and more are on the horizon. The Kelly’s Authentic Jamaican Food owner took to his company’s Facebook page over the weekend to announce the imminent closure of one of its locations.

The last day of business for the Kelly’s at 145 Epps Bridge Road will be May 1, a decade after the westside eatery first opened. The Kelly’s in Five Points at 1583 S. Lumpkin St. will remain open and will soon receive an air-conditioning upgrade and a fresh coat of paint.

Codling told the Banner-Herald that the Epps Bridge closure was due to a laundromat planned for the next-door space previously occupied by Studio 74 Styling Shop, which relocated to Winder last spring.

(Story continues after photo...)

This photo taken April 25, 2022, at 145 Epps Bridge Road in Athens, Ga., shows the sign for Kelly's Authentic Jamaican Food. Owner Kelly Codling is closing the location on May 1 after 10 years in business, but will continue to operate the Five Points restaurant.
This photo taken April 25, 2022, at 145 Epps Bridge Road in Athens, Ga., shows the sign for Kelly's Authentic Jamaican Food. Owner Kelly Codling is closing the location on May 1 after 10 years in business, but will continue to operate the Five Points restaurant.

“The space was too small for what the landlords needed, and my lease is going to be up anyway,” said Codling.

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Kelly’s came to Athens from Stone Mountain in 1998 and first operated on Milledge Avenue and Baxter Street before settling in at the former Steverino’s location in Five Points. In 2018, Codling penned “True Believer: The Journey of Kelly Codling” with Bowen Craig, published by Bilbo Books.

Codling credits his longevity in Athens to the kindness and generosity of the community and his loyal customer base: “I appreciate them and they appreciate me. I love everyone and I keep doing the best that I can do.”

This photo taken at Kelly's Authentic Jamaican Food shows a mural on the side of the building at 145 Epps Bridge Road in Athens, Ga. Owner Kelly Codling is closing the location after 10 years and is unsure about what will happen to the mural.
This photo taken at Kelly's Authentic Jamaican Food shows a mural on the side of the building at 145 Epps Bridge Road in Athens, Ga. Owner Kelly Codling is closing the location after 10 years and is unsure about what will happen to the mural.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Kelly's Jamaican restaurant on westside closing after nearly a decade