When it comes to food in Bridgeport, the name Oliverio is culinary royalty. For decades, Oliverio’s Ristorante situated along Main Street has pleased the palates of tens of thousands of people.

 

It’s part of a long-standing family tradition being carried forward today by Pat and Carla Oliverio. And it was part of a tradition Briana Oliverio was born into. The 2005 Bridgeport High School graduate not only grew up around the business, but by around the age of 16, she found herself working at the business. First as a hostess, then a waitress and eventually bartending at the eatery.

 

Perhaps because of that, it may not be surprising to know that Oliverio is about to enter the restaurant and bar business on her own. Well, not entirely on her own, but away from the very familiar confines of the family restaurant on U.S.  Route 50.

 

Oliverio has teamed up with Clarksburg residents Matt and Tia Policano to take over the former P.J. Kelly’s, a long-time well-established bar and restaurant on Third Street in downtown Clarksburg. The trio purchased the business from Bridgeport’s Claude Ryan and will reopen it under the name “Kelly’s Irish Pub & Grill.”

 

While Oliverio said she and the Policano’s had talked about potentially acquiring a bar as a joint business venture, she didn’t think it would happen. That would change, she said, in the most modern of fashions.

 

“We actually saw that it was up for sale on P.J’s Facebook page,” said Oliverio, a 2009 West Virginia University graduate concentrating on studies in Spanish, Business and Public Relations. “It was as simple as that.

 

“Right away, we knew it was a great opportunity and we couldn’t pass it up,” she continued. “There’s not many places for people to go out and have a drink, a nice meal and a good time and we’re certain what we’ll have will provide that.”

 

Perhaps the best part of acquiring the property is that the previous owner had done a major upgrade of the facility when he acquired it. Because of that, Oliverio said the property is almost “turnkey” in a lot of ways.

 

“Claude did such a great job and you can tell that he invested money into it,” she said. “We will do some improvements, but it’s mostly cosmetic.”

 

There will be other changes as well. While the venue will still host music, she said it will not be to the same level as the recent past. Many of the food items on the menu will also be the same, but the menu will be paired down for simplicity and efficiency.

 

While Oliverio certainly talks as if she was going to be in the business as part of the family DNA, it almost didn’t happen. In fact, it took a lifetime of experience to steer her to where she’ll be getting things started with her own joint venture in the weeks ahead.

 

“Initially, I thought it was a crazy business because I could see my parents working some crazy hours,” she said. “As I grew up I appreciated that their hard work allowed them to be able to get away at times and do things. The cost for that, though, was long hours. Eventually, I really understood it.”

 

Understanding what the family business was about and even working at the business wasn’t enough to put Oliverio on the path she’s on now. Instead, what finally pushed her in that direction was a trip to the Sunshine State. For four years, Oliverio lived in Florida.

 

During part of her time in the Fort Myers she worked in the corporate office of Chicos, known for selling women’s designer brand clothes. Oliverio spent most of her time in buying for the company and working on the merchandising end of the business.

 

“I think I knew I wanted to do what I’m about to do after having a traditional job,” said Oliverio. “I think I always had the love and passion for the restaurant and bar business, but it took me having a different type of job to make the decision to make a career out of it.”

 

Of course, some of Oliverio’s time in Florida was spent working in the food/bar industry as well. She said she’s hoping to incorporate ideas from her family business with what she’s learned on the road together with the ideas of Matt and Tia Policano.

 

Whether the ideas work should be known in short order. Oliverio said the goal is to be open prior to the upcoming West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival during the Labor Day weekend. Annually, the event has proven to be one of the biggest for the former P.J. Kelly’s location.

 

“We’re going to try and get it open a week before the Festival and work out any kinks that we may run into. We should have a fully operating facility,” Oliverio said. “Trying to get open that quick at times has been stressful because we’re under the gun in obtaining things such as the business license, the liquor license and everything else you need to get started. At the same time, I’m very aware this is a great learning experience for me.”

 

Anyone looking to be part of the new Kelly’s Irish Pub & Grill can do just that. The business will be hosting open interview for experienced bartenders, servers and door men Monday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The interviews are walk-in only. For information, email the new business at kellysdowntownwv@gmail.com.

 

Editor's Note: The new logo is posted above, while Briana Oliverio, left, is pictured wtith Matt and Tia Policano.