On-premise Spotlight: JD McGillicuddy'sWhether it be the warm and inviting atmosphere, the camaraderie between the guys who run the show or the genuine warm feeling you get when you enter the bar, JD McGillicuddy's is like a little piece of home. Tom Thornton Sr., patriarch of the family, opened the Goal Post (now Frankie's Café in Havertown) 32 years ago and the beer business has been in the Thornton family ever since. Tom Sr. introduced his son to the business when he was a young boy and in 1994 he and his father opened the doors of the first JD McGillicuddy's in Ardmore, PA. Not only is Tom Sr. a beer man, he also has a great sense of humor. When asked how JD McGillicuddy's got its name, Tom Jr. laughed and explained that one day his father was golfing with a close family friend, Jack D. McDonald, and as they conversed about Mr. Thornton's bar, Jack turned to him and asked, "when are you gonna name a bar after me?" Now, fourteen years later there are three more JD McGillicuddy's locations in Manayunk, Kirklyn and 
JD McGillicuddy's, located in Ardmore, Manayunk, Kirklyn and Tinicum Tinicum with a new location in the works, somewhere in the Philadelphia area. |
 Back row, left to right: Matt Thornton, Tom Thornton. Front row, left to right: Keith Petka, John Stauffer, Kyle Thornton, Eric Eberz, Chris Thornton, Danny Quinn |
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These thriving bars are the perfect place to unwind after a tough work week or enjoy a meal with the family. Known for their classic cuisine, friendly service and inviting atmosphere, JD McGillicuddy's is sure to treat you like family. Tom Thornton Jr. oversees the operation of each JD McGillicuddy’s location, but he has a lot of help thanks to an extremely close knit family. From brothers, to cousins, to in-laws, the bars are all run by members and close friends of the Thornton family. "Each of us has our own part in the business because we are all good at different things," says Tom. Family is of the utmost importance to the Thorton clan and they attribute the success of the business to just that. "You can count on each other no matter what. If someone is sick, one of us will always pick up the slack without hesitation. The corporate world is very selfish. We never have to worry about that here. We are all here to look out for each other and the business." Thornton expressed how the deep sense of family extends to staff. "We don't need server incentives here, our staff wants to be here; there is very low turnover. They really do stick around; no one ever wants to leave!" |
As for the customers, they know many of them by name and often engage in conversations. It is very important to the JD McGillicuddy's team that their customers feel welcome. "Our customers really are an extension of our family-some of them even end up at our family parties!" Not only are the Thornton's great businessmen, they also give back to the community. JD McGillicuddy's sponsors several youth sports teams and some of the guys even do some coaching! "We love sports, as you can see," Tom says as he points to the walls of the bar that are adorned with sports paraphernalia from floor to ceiling. "We bought all this stuff ourselves. It's all personal touches. We want it to look like home, well, at least what we would want our homes to look like if we were bachelors!" In a world that has become so corporate and uninviting, JD McGillicuddy's is definitely a place that brings back the family-feel we all yearn for. |
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