Katy’s Grill & Bar / Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar
Best Of Both Worlds

After running four restaurants over the past 40 years, Wilmington restaurant veteran Katy Monaghan has sold her last remaining business, Katy’s Bar and Grill on South College Road.

“I’ve really retired and it feels great,” Katy said with a laugh, noting unfulfilled plans to retire over the past few years.

Monaghan sold Katy’s to one of her former employees, Jerry Allen, and his business partner, Kelly Baucom. The pair also own Jerry Allen’s Sports Bar in Wrightsville Beach. Allen is a the propietor of Robert’s Market, in Wrightsville Beach, too.

Katy’s has been in business for almost four decades. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Allen worked there as a dishwasher and then as a bartender while he attended classes at UNCW.

“I figured if I could make it to the 30-year mark, I would be ready to take it easy,” Katy said of her decision to let the business go after its 30th Anniversary Party held in 2013.

Under Allen and Baucom, renovations were complete throughout the restaurant’s 3,500 square feet. Check out the new front deck and a beautiful newly remodeled dining area and bar, with new windows to add light and lots of HD TVs for sports. Then in 2019 the game room was added expanding space for pool, table tennis and other games.

“Katy’s menu stayed, but Allen and Baucom merged it with the Jerry Allen’s Sport Bar menu”, said Allen. He has always been interested in owning Katy’s, and he and Monaghan said Katy will visit the business often.

“We want to keep Katy’s going for another 30 years,” Jerry Allen said.

Katy was also an owner in The Original Salt Works on Oleander Drive and helped create The Causeway Café in Wrightsville Beach. She also ran a spot named The Pony Express that once existed on Wrightsville Avenue in Wilmington. Rhonda, Veronica and Karen remain as longtime loyal employees. Here’s to you ladies!