DUNBAR - Everyone is welcome at the Kountry Klub. Despite its name, the borough's newest restaurant and bar is open to all.
Owners Kelly Flynn and Jack Maloy III, both of Connellsville, got the name from a Travis Tritt song, "Country Club," but used Ks in the name "so people would know we're open to the public," says Jack Maloy III.
The two purchased the Dunbar Sons of Italy building on the corner of Connellsville and Woodvale streets, which closed last fall, and transformed it into a family-friendly fusion of country, Irish heritage and sports. The Kountry Klub opened Oct. 2.
Shamrocks, a cowboy hat and boot decorate the lighted sign on Woodvale Street. Inside, a welcoming white oak bar features "The Kountry Klub" and shamrocks routed and painted green, then coated with epoxy. Green stools emphasize the Irish atmosphere. Picnic tables casually accommodate large families or parties, while smaller tables along the walls allow for more intimate dining. Upstairs, a second bar will cater to dancers, pool and dart players. The upstairs, which features a stage, will open next week. Maloy and Flynn will bring in DJs and bands, and the Kountry Klub will host dart and pool leagues and country line dancing on the wood floor.
"We're big with football and NASCAR fans," says Flynn. "This is a popular place to watch games." Four televisions offer CMT or sports downstairs.
Kountry Klub boasts a full menu, created by cook Robert "Meatball" LaFisca and his wife, Samantha, both of Dunbar. LaFisca designed the kitchen and gave many of the sandwiches a country name. The rodeo burger boasts Black Angus beef topped with bacon, fried onions, American cheese and barbecue sauce, while the horseshoe grinder combines a Black Angus burger with ham, fried onions, mushrooms, green peppers, Swiss cheese and the diner's dressing choice. The six-shooter Italian hoagie contains ham, cappicola, hard salami, pepperoni, melted mozzarella and provolone cheeses topped with lettuce, tomato and onion on a toasted 8-inch roll.
The pizza selection is extensive, including a Kountry Klub exclusive for those with cowboy-tough stomachs. The afterburner pizza combines hot sausage, hot peppers and a special blended hot and spicy sauce.
Dinner specials change nightly, and diners can cap off their meal with a selection of desserts, including the Kountry Klub sundae, fried dough topped with ice cream and strawberries.
A carry-out window at the rear entrance allows take-out customers easy access to their orders.
Those who visited the Sons of Italy will be surprised at the transformation inside.
"We've done all the work. There was nothing in here when we bought the building," says Maloy. He and Flynn have been friends for more than 20 years and decided the time was right to go into business. "When the building came up for sale, we thought it would be a good idea."
They bought the building in April.
In the spring 2003, Maloy and Flynn plan to repoint the bricks outside and "Make it look it as good as we can," says Maloy. "It's been nice being open. People have been supportive. We'd like to thank Dunbar for its support. Two bars, Bruno's and Sherwood's, sent us flowers. That's something."
The Kountry Klub plans to support the community. The business donated to the Dunbar Community Fest and plans to start a Little League baseball team.
Customers appreciate the atmosphere. Bob Morrison travels regularly from Bullskin Township.
"I used to own Tug's in Connellsville," says Morrison. "They're good guys, good friends. It's a nice bar. The Kountry Klub salad is great. The wings are good, too. It's a family atmosphere. I think this place is going to work. It's pretty nice.
"Dunbar needed it. I can't wait for the entertainment to start," he adds.
"We're happy to be open to the public," says Flynn, sharing a story destined to enter Kountry Klub folklore, "An engineer recently stopped his train and ordered wings for lunch."
