It was not an easy decision but after 48 years, McGinnity’s Restaurant and Party House is for sale. It’s very bittersweet to think about life without our family business but it’s time for our family to slow down and enjoy this new phase of our lives. Before my Dad passed in 2007, he asked us to “keep the wheel turning,” our family motto. For the last 16 years, my Mom has operated McGinnity’s with assistance from my brothers and me. She turns 85 years old in March and is in great health. But she is more than deserving of this change and my brothers and I wholeheartedly support her.
When my Dad, Seamus McGinnity, immigrated to America in 1957, he arrived with a suitcase full of dreams and ambitions. He and Mom (Bridie) married in 1959 and began raising a family. Dad was an electrician by trade but he always had the idea of owning a business. As our family grew, so did his goal. In 1974, they bought a building on West Road Road in Rochester in what was the heart of Eastman Kodak’s production buildings. In less than one year, the building was transformed from a flooring business to a bar and restaurant. In 1975, McGinnity’s Restaurant and Party House opened.
As I look back over these years, I think of how our lives changed and how our family grew. My brothers, Jim, John, and Kevin, and I were young when we opened in 1975. Kevin was only four years old. McGinnity’s became like another family member as we tended to its needs, cleaning up the bar area, stocking the coolers, and doing odd jobs as assigned. After school, weekends, school holidays, and summer vacations were spent helping Mom and Dad. As we grew, we all took turns working in the kitchen and waiting tables. My parents raised a family as they grew their business.
McGinnity’s has changed dramatically over the last 48 years. A small party room was added in the late ‘70s. A building expansion in the early ‘80s included the addition of a large party room that seats 150 people. Through all of this, Dad was the visionary and with the help of many hands, including my brothers, he made his vision come to life. Mom supported him in whatever idea he had and due to her sharp bookkeeping skills, she knew how to fund any project.
As the building changed, the business morphed into a popular place for those who wished to enjoy Irish music and dance as well as a neighborhood meeting place for lunch or to have a few “cold ones” after work. Once my brothers and I were of age, we were able to “step behind the pine” and learn the trade of bartending.
We thought we received an education at school, but it was behind the bar where we learned many lessons. We quickly became well versed in multi-tasking, good listening skills, and how to skillfully work at a rapid pace. But some of the most important are life lessons. We developed great people skills, a strong work ethic, responsibility, pride in our work, a love for our culture and heritage. Mom and Dad reinforced these messages not just at the family business but, most importantly, at home.
Over time, our family evolved. I married Mike in 1986, Jim married in 1988, and Kevin married in 2005. Mike and I had our wedding reception at McGinnity’s and oh what a party it was! Many family showers, parties, celebrations, and even wakes were held at McGinnity’s. My Dad used to say the party room floor was made for dancing. Our spouses willingly became part of the McGinnity’s staff.
Soon after came the McGinnity grandbabies. Five girls were born in rapid succession followed by another girl and, finally, a McGinnity grandson named after my Dad, Seamus.
The same messages of having great people skills, a strong work ethic, being dedicated, and responsible, and taking pride in your work were also reinforced with the McGinnity grandkids. The older five are all college graduates; one has a doctorate and another a master’s degree, and they all have successful careers. The younger two are top students in school. The seven grandkids have similar memories of McGinnity’s. My three girls tell the stories of how they helped to set tables for events in the party room when they could barely reach the table. They would say, “It’s time to put the forks down!” Once they were of age, my girls remember how proud their Papa was as they waited tables on St. Patrick’s Day.
Our families are still evolving; three of the four McGinnity siblings are retired. Mike and I have six grandkids and expecting another this summer. It’s time for our family to focus on our families and enjoy this new phase of life. Mom is ready to not feel the grind of business responsibilities. We all are looking forward to not having the stress the business creates and, most importantly, for our Mom to not shoulder that burden. Owning a business is a 24/7 obligation and is so much more than unlocking the front door and turning on the open sign.
We are proud to say that McGinnity’s is Rochester’s oldest Irish Pub. As a privately owned business, we successfully survived changes to laws, road construction and modifications, major changes and closures of area businesses, and most recently, the pandemic. Who will purchase the building is yet to be determined. What the new owners will do with the building is an open opportunity.
We will miss the friendships made and all the incredible experiences, fun, and so much laughter. Memories and memorabilia are what we will take away from McGinnity’s. The memories could fill a book and they will stay with us forever. When we close the door for the last time, we will say goodbye to our seventh family member and open the next chapter of our lives.
The McGinnity family are long-time Spencerport residents. Seamus and Bridie built two homes and raised their family in Spencerport. Bridie still resides in the McGinnity family home. Maggie and her husband Mike and three daughters moved to Spencerport in 1995 and also still reside in Spencerport.
