Beach-themed eatery on the market in Gilpin
A little slice of the beach life is for sale in Gilpin — shoes optional.
The popular Barefoot Bar & Grill on Schenley Road was listed Monday for $325,000 by Chrissy Heinle of Realty One Group.
Jim McKee, Barefoot co-owner, said the decision to sell comes with mixed emotions but is necessary.
He has shared business operations at the casual eatery for eight years with his sister, Bonnie McGuire of Allegheny Township.
“In the last year, I’ve had some serious health issues, and my sister has a full-time job,” McKee said of the duo deciding to sell the property turnkey ready, including the liquor license.
McKee said his health is now stable, but taking on less has become a priority.
The siblings bought the former Cook’s restaurant and rebranded it into a nautical-inspired, tropical venue. They named it Barefoot after Jim’s penchant for wearing flip-flops year-round.
“I’m very laid back,” McKee said, sporting flip-flops Wednesday as he prepped for the 4 p.m. opening. “I love the beach theme and warm weather, and it’s something different.”
The building has housed various restaurants since 1961.
“It’s time to move on,” said McGuire, who works in the health care industry.
Barefoot will remain open and operate normally while on the market.
The siblings are hopeful a new buyer will continue the barefoot tradition.
“The neighborhood is great, and there’s a lot of potential there,” McGuire said. “But you have to have the time to make it successful, and we just don’t have that kind of time.”
McKee graduated from Leechburg Area High School in 1988, earned a math degree from Penn State University and worked in the retail industry for more than 20 years before opening Barefoot.
The menu features hearty half-pound burgers and 75-cent wings on Wednesday nights.
Summer slushies and seasonal drink specials are popular with river enthusiasts visiting the nearby Schenley Campground along the banks of the Kiski and Allegheny rivers.
“We aren’t just a bar. Food sales make up about 40% of our sales,” McGuire said. “We have a lot of families that come in, and we have a lot of river traffic during the summer months, lots of takeout beer and food.”
Included in the sale is a one bedroom, one bathroom living area below the restaurant that includes an office and storage areas.
During covid, the siblings remodeled extensively, spending about $100,000 to replace the floors, resurface the bar, install a new tap system, new coolers, fryers and air conditioning.
“We’d like to say thanks to the community and everybody has been great throughout the years, and Jim can only do so much,” McGuire said. “Prior to covid, we were really busy and really happening. And then everyone took a hit. Now, things are coming back, and we’re definitely leaving it better than when (we) bought it.”
The property already has attracted several potential buyers in the first few days of its listing.
“If it doesn’t sell, I’ll still be here,” said McKee, 53, of Leechburg. “And I’m OK with that. It’s time to move on, but it’s not urgent that I sell it right now.”
Along with the sale comes a cat named Betty. Betty showed up at Barefoot eight years ago, lives outside and enjoys the comforts of a heated custom cat box, courtesy of McKee.
“She’s the sweetest,” McKee said. “Customers bring her treats.”
Gilpin Supervisor Chairman Charles Stull reacted Friday to the news of the listing.
“I’m sorry to see Barefoot is for sale, but I’m excited for its future and hopeful for it to see a new life with new owners,” Stull said.
McKee said he’s “absolutely” willing to assist a new buyer with learning the restaurant ropes.
“I’m going to miss everything — the people, the business, all of it. It’s been my home,” McKee said. “It’s sad, but it’s time.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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