Well-known Irish pub in Worcester closing permanently after burst pipes, "rising business costs"

O'Connor's Restaurant & Bar, a well-known Irish pub in Worcester, Massachusetts for decades, is closing for good right before St. Patrick's Day.

The landmark on West Boylston Street opened in 1989. It has been shut down since March 7 because of burst pipes.

"It is with great regret we must share that after our recent pipe burst and with rising business costs, O'Connor's will not be reopening its doors," the restaurant posted to Facebook Wednesday. "Through many difficult times we've given it our very best to carry on this beloved landmark, but the latest challenges have led us to the end of our journey."

On Thursday, owner Dennis Maxwell was getting his first look at the damage that mostly impacts an office and parts of their parlor room. 

No insurance after lawsuit filed

There are now dozens of fans spread throughout the restaurant, trying to dry it out after the pipe burst. Fixing it is on their dime, Maxwell said. 

"About six months ago, we had a lady claiming to fall in the parking lot and she filed a suit against us," Maxwell told WBZ-TV. 

Maxwell said their insurance shot up to a $12,000 deposit, and $17,000 a month. 

"Nobody can afford to do that," Maxwell said. "So, we didn't get insurance, and wouldn't you know that we have a pipe burst that would normally be covered by insurance." 

While the bar has been around for decades, Maxwell took ownership of it a few years ago. 

"I walked in here and I fell in love with the place," Maxwell said. 

The timing just before St. Patrick's Day could not be worse. "We basically can live on what we do for those two or three months," Maxwell said. 

Restaurant listed for sale

The hope now is that someone will buy the bar and make the repairs. 

"When this happened, we had just listed it," Maxwell said. "Instead of $4 million, it's down to a price of $2.8 million, if someone wants to deal with getting this all back together." 

He said they already have two interested buyers. 

Customers on social media remembered the good times.

"It was one of the best restaurants I've been to," one wrote. "I've had a lot of big family dinners there."

"My heart is broken," another said. "I've been going there for decades from the start."

Last April, the restaurant temporarily closed to the public, citing staffing problems, but still hosted parties and events. O'Connor's said at the time that "business has been great," but "times are tough in this industry and very different than in the past."

This time, however, the closure is permanent. 

"We are truly saddened that it has come to this but we wish you all the very best as we say farewell," O'Connor's wrote.