NEW INFO: AJ McMurphy’s addresses closure

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – Longtime Greenville bar and restaurant AJ McMurphy’s is addressing its abrupt closure.

A statement posted on Facebook Friday night said, “The sequence of events this week are unfortunate, to say the least. There are two business partners involved in AJ McMurphy’s. One made a bad decision, and one tried to clean up the mess overnight…after being a silent partner for the past 6 years. Over the past 48 hours, I have done everything in my power to understand the situation at hand, and assess the future of our business. I’ve spent time talking with staff, attorneys, accountants, law enforcement (including ALE). Unfortunately, I am forced with the hard decision to close AJ McMurphy’s permanently. Please know this absolutely did not come as an easy decision, and our staff and guests will remain in my heart forever. Shannon.”

The statement did not go into further details about what the exact circumstances are behind the closure.

A longtime sports bar appears to have closed its doors.

On its Facebook page, AJ McMurphy’s says they are working with their attorney to come up with an official statement but did not directly state they were closing.

It went on to say they’ll be releasing the statement Friday.

Many on social media are sharing their memories of AJ McMurphy’s on Turnbury Drive in Greenville.

Joe Tronto is the owner of Attic Enterprises which provides nightclub consulting and event producing. In a Facebook post, Tronto wrote that he can confirm that the bar has closed and that he’s reaching out to artists who were booked to perform there.

“I was waiting on an official announcement but none seems to be coming. Lots of questions asking why but I really don’t have the answers to. I want to thank the management, staff, & entertainers for the many GREAT years at this wonderful Greenville venue. I really enjoyed working with everyone involved. Thanks for the memories!” Tronto wrote. WITN went to the business today and saw no notices of closure posted on the door.

No one would answer the phone when we called.