kelly’s closing would be the end of an era

Kelly's sign

The iconic Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern may close by the end of the year.

Ending months, or even years of speculation, Outer Banks restauranteur Mike Kelly confirmed to Russ Lay of the Outer Banks Voice that he may be selling the Nags Head property that houses his iconic Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant & Tavern. It’s hard to imagine an OBX without Kelly’s; there aren’t many locals that haven’t dined in that restaurant (the sweet potato biscuits!), spent some time on that dance floor or warmed a seat at that bar. Not to mention the LONG list of concerts, special events and fundraisers that have been held under Mike’s generous roof. We’ll will try to keep everyone posted as new info emerges, and we’ll certainly have more to say about this if the deal goes down.

End of an era? Kelly's Outer Banks Tavern has been a regular gathering place for Outer Banks entertainment for over 30 years. 2014 Womanless Beauty Pageant. Photo, Kip Tabb
End of an era? Kelly’s Outer Banks Tavern has been a regular gathering place for Outer Banks entertainment for over 30 years. 2014 Womanless Beauty Pageant. Photo, Kip Tabb
Shagging at Kelly's Outer Banks Tavern. Photo, North Beach Sun.
Shagging at Kelly’s Outer Banks Tavern. Photo, North Beach Sun.

 

“Mike Kelly officially ended months of speculation and rumors this week by going public on the status of his iconic and eponymously named Kelly’s Restaurant.

Kelly has told local media that he has entered an agreement with a potential buyer to purchase his 5-acre property in Nags Head.

But he cautioned that the deal, while it may close in the fall or early winter, was far from a sure thing.

The buyers, Kelly said, are still in a “due diligence” process that would include developing a site plan and obtaining permitting from the Town of Nags Head.”

 

 

 

 

[box type=”bio”] An iconic part of Outer Banks social life may soon be a memory. Read the rest of this story on the Outer Banks Voice .[/box]