Sheehan’s Irish Pub owner Jovany Gertler and his wife Shawntae are celebrating the birth of their second child, a little girl. While they are very excited for the new addition, Jovany good naturedly said, ”The plan was always for us to work together. Her getting pregnant threw a little monkey wrench in that!”
“She’s the best bartender I’ve ever seen. She typically wants to run the front of the house and I’m in the back cooking.”
The couple closed on the purchase of Sheehan’s Irish Pub October 31st of last year.
Jovany is a native of California, and he met his wife in Arizona before the couple headed to New York City where he worked in the music and marketing industry.
“My parents told me they were going to move down here to Augusta (from San Diego), so for shits and giggles I was like ‘well why don’t we just look at some bars down there…we have a family now and it’s way cheaper cost of living, let’s take a look.”
The couple wound up flying down three or four times, always eating at Sheehan’s.
“I think John (former owner John Beck) one of the reasons he sold to us, is we told him we weren’t going to change it.”
Beck also owns and operates Beck’s, just down Central Avenue at 2111 Kings Way.
“I think one of the biggest fears is people really thought we were going to change the place.”
“He’s been so supportive. Anything I need in a pinch he’s been there for us. Which is amazing. Especially with someone who had no restaurant experience.”
Jovany continued, “If you would have asked me two years ago, I would have said I’d own a couple of restaurants in New York City. Thank God that didn’t happen. This is the perfect situation.”
Champagne and rosemary cream sauce
The couple purchased a home on Central Avenue in Summerville, just down from their new restaurant and have really settled in. “We love this neighborhood. We love Augusta,” Jovany said.
While they have done some updating and painting, the menu has pretty much stayed the same, with the addition of rotating weekly specials, like the Cowboy Burger, a 50/50 chuck pork belly blend patty, bbq sauce, onion ring, bacon, brioche bun, cheddar cheese, topped with stuffed jalapeno, served with fries.
“We kept all the main staples…we still wanted to keep it Sheehan’s. It’s been a part of this neighborhood for 15 years. We never want to get away from that.”
As far as his favorite thing on the menu, it didn’t take long for an answer. “The duck. That has been a staple for a long time. I’ve had duck a lot of places, and never better than here. (Honey Lacquered Duck-ginger soy marinade, flash fried, grits, fried green beans, Asian BBQ sauce).
“We’re the same Sheehan’s but we’re throwing our own little twist on it.”
Daily Happy Hour begins at 4:30 and features $2 off all drafts, $2.50 bottles and $6 select wines. “You can’t beat a $4 pint of 10% beer,” Jovany smiles.
Sheehan’s is open Wed-Sat 4:30-10
Phone for reservations
706 364 1234
2571 Central Avenue
Augusta GA