McGuigan's Public House to close doors May 23

Francis Scarcella, The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pa.
·2 min read

May 14—SUNBURY — May 23 will be the end of an era in Sunbury's downtown when McGuigan's Public House closes its doors.

The popular establishment, known for all day St. Patrick Day festivities on Market Street in Sunbury, will shutter on May 23, according to owner Laurie Johnson. Johnson said she has sold the building on Market Street and is taking the liquor license with her.

"Everything happened very fast," she said Tuesday. "I spoke with my son, and he informed me the building was sold to a company from Philadelphia, and we were to be out by May 23."

Johnson said she has no idea what the plans are for the building, but she wanted her customers and public to know she appreciated the 17 years she was in Sunbury and thanked everyone for their support.

"I will miss the people I saw every day," she said. "We have had a lot of good memories in here."

Johnson has six employees, and they were all informed recently of the closing, she said.

Two other businesses occupy the building. Central Pa Tattoo Co. will remain open and Third Street Rails will close, Johnson said.

Not much has changed at the establishment, which sits at the corner of Market and Third streets, in the 17 years which is exactly why regulars and musicians kept coming back, she said.

"We always had a good following and a good group of people that would frequent here often," she said. "We also had several musical acts that always loved to come and play."

Johnson said she was able to withstand the shutdowns when COVID-19 struck.

"We were able to get through it and found ways to survive," she said. "We had loyal customers and great people always coming to support us."

Johnson said she will especially miss the St. Patrick Day festivities that drew crowds from all over the Valley.

"They were such fun days here," she said. "We would open early, serve breakfast and continue through the day with special St. Patrick Day food specials. I will definitely miss that."

Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious thanked Johnson for her dedication to Sunbury.

"I'm sorry to see McGuigan's close after all these years," he said. "There have been some great memories made there for many people."

Johnson said she will serve up food and drink specials to customers for the next week and hopes to see everyone stop in.

"Even if you just come to say you were here," she said. "I want to be able to see everyone and thank them for all these years."

Johnson said she is unsure what she will do next, but has her eyes set on helping Squeeze In owner Chris Snyder serve up hot dogs.

"We will see what happens," she said. "I just wanted everyone to know I appreciated everyone for all these years."