Irish pub in Belleville gets new owners, new name, same good times

Over the last couple of weeks, I received email and phone calls from readers who noticed a significant change at 5500 North Belt West in Belleville and wanted some details.

Crehan’s Irish Pub & Banquet Center, as it’s been known for 26 years, has a new name and new owners.

Now known as Danny’s Irish Pub & Banquet Center, the business is owned by Marty and Becky Phelps of Belleville, who bought Crehan’s from Barry and Patti Gregory earlier this year. (Not Belleville’s mayor!)

A notice from the Gregorys on the Crehan’s website states that on March 1, the Phelpses “assumed operations and we finalized the sale on April 30.”

In a short interview with the Phelpses, I learned that for awhile, the couple wanted to buy a “dive bar,” looking at a few different places in Belleville.

Then they heard from friends that Crehan’s owner Barry Gregory was looking to sell his business and retire.

The opportunity to own a well-known business that’s already established in the community was “too good a deal to pass up,” said Marty Phelps.

Both previously worked in the healthcare industry. Marty Phelps said that after traveling for about five years, he was ready to settle and come home. And buy a bar.

“It’s not been what we expected,” he said.

What did they expect?

They thought they could hang out and drink with their friends. Instead, they work hard while their friends drink.

When they aren’t on site, the Phelpses attend conferences and learn all they can to help them make their business successful.

They agree that having the banquet room really helps business with the parties, funeral luncheons and club and group meetings.

A grand opening event for the business was held Thursday, May 23, and included the Phelpses, the Gregorys, Danny’s staff, family, friends and representatives from the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce and the City of Belleville.

Prior to the event, Barry Gregory said that when he returned to Crehan’s in August (after Crehan’s became McGraw’s and reverted back to Crehan’s) and word got out, people started flocking back.

December was a record month for sales, said Gregory, and he owes it all to the staff and the good food they offer.

“After 26 years, it’s kind of like a baby,” he said. “You want to make sure it’s in good hands.”

I asked Becky Phelps if they have any changes planned for the future.

Not really, she said. They already updated the banquet room and may add more decking out front at a later date.

They have a great foundation to start with, she said, and that includes the Crehan’s staff that stayed with them.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” she said.

Gregory said he and wife Patti “have no issues or qualms that it’s not gonna be run in an equally wonderful manner as we tried to do for 26 years. [The Phelpses are] doing a great job, they take interest, and they’re here.

“And that’s what it takes to be a good owner. Ones that are concerned with what the public wants, and they’re there for them.”

About Danny’s Irish Pub and Banquet Center

Danny’s Irish Pub and Banquet Center is located at 5500 North Belt West in Belleville. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

For more info and updates, call 618-234-6500 or visit the Facebook page.