Sept. 11, 2015 By Christian Murray
Ciaran Staunton, a well-known civic leader and owner of the gastropub Molly Blooms, is selling the establishment to two experienced operators who have no plans to make any changes.
Staunton, who opened the bar in 2011, transformed an old Irish bar located at 43-13 Queens Blvd into a more upscale operation that was modeled after Victorian-style pubs built in the early 20th Century. He put in a kitchen and the venue has become a popular eating and drinking establishment.
“We thought it would be our retirement restaurant in Queens,” Staunton told Community Board 2’s City Services Committee Wednesday. However, “Things have changed in my life,” he added, referring to the 2012 tragic death of his son Rory, who fell victim to a freak infection that led to a Sepsis that was initially misdiagnosed.
Previous Bar, 2009
“Unfortunately given the turn of events that have happened to me in the past couple of years, I don’t have the energy or desire to spend as much time in it [the bar],” Staunton said. “It’s time for me not to be involved in the hospitality industry.”
Staunton’s stake has been acquired by two men who have worked with Staunton and have been involved in managing Ryan Maguire’s Bar & Restaurant in the financial district.
They said that Molly Blooms will continue to operate as it always has.
“If they [the new owners] continue the work Ciaran has done and the standards he has set, they will be good neighbors,” said CB2 board member Patrick Murray.
