History

In January, 1999, the Pub was for sale and entrepreneurs Phil Kelley and John Ehalt recognized the great potential that was being offered. Updating and upgrading began immediately, starting with a new name, “PJ’S Village Pub and Sports Bar”. Within the first week major renovations started taking place. The women behind the men, Judy and Maureen, insisted that the ladies’ room be the first overhaul. Those shower curtains around the toilets were just not acceptable. Clean, Clean, Clean was second priority. Then they removed the booths, added high top tables, removed the smelly carpet and painted. The motto was improve it and they (new customers) will come. And new customers kept coming in the doors. Friday and Saturday night were standing room only.

Live music on the weekends necessitated closing down the pool tables. It was getting very, very crowded. “The Pub is the Hub” and “A Local Place for Local People” became a reality.

In January, 2002, an opportunity for expansion presented itself, and again Phil and John jumped in with both feet. The expansion added 1500 square feet and included a full service open kitchen, room for bands on the weekends, and more tables. In addition to expanding the floor space, they also gave a facelift to the front of the building, added an outside patio, and literally raised the roof.. Those 8 foot ceilings were just too low. Now with higher ceilings, 12 foot at one end, there was room for all the sports memorabilia, neon signs, and ducting for the newly added air conditioning systems. All this construction took six months, and the customers were very supportive, especially since this was done without ever closing the doors.

Today our menu consists of a cross section of American classics and a blend of Southwest and Mexican cuisine. The Friday night Fish Fry and Saturday Prime Rib Specials are awesome. All our beef is Certified Angus Beef. See the menu page for a full description of our delicious selections.

Our “CHEERS-like” atmosphere is apparent when you walk in the door anytime day or night. Retirees dominate the breakfast club, construction workers are here for lunch on a daily basis, and evenings are time for retirees, contractors, realtors, teachers, doctors, and local business owners. Music on the weekends is provided by local entertainers and traveling artists from Phoenix, New Mexico, Michigan and California. Beyond music, we have two pool tables, Golden Tee, electronic darts and video games. See our pictures page for a look at PJ’S “ I Love This Bar” picture video created by Lee Seymour of “Top Hat Productions”.

John & Maureen Ehalt – They moved to Sedona from Simi Valley California 12 years ago, leaving behind two daughters, one son-in-law and what is now 4 granddaughters. They caught red rock fever like so many others, and knew the only cure was to move here in preparation for their future retirement years.

Maureen is a Massachusetts native who spent twenty years working as a manager for Pacific Bell in California. Almost twenty years ago she took an early retirement and became a realtor. She is now one of the top producers in the Sedona Real Estate market, specializing in townhome and condominium sales.

John was a Pennsylvanian until he joined the Navy in 1961. After cruising the world for 6 years, he settled in California and went to work in the electronics field for Pacific Bell. Also after 20 years, he took early retirement to pursue his lifelong ambition to be a restaurant manager, chef, and small business owner. He has done it all, working for a large corporation, Tony Roma’s, as manager and trainer, and owning three fast food restaurants in California. He is the working manager partner at PJ’S. He excels at everything involved with creating a successful Restaurant/Bar business. He and his team of employees serve the best food and drinks at the best prices with the friendliest attitude in Sedona.

Phil & Judy Kelley

Coming Soon

SORRY, PJ'S VILLAGE PUB IS A 21 AND OLDER ESTABLISHMENT.
DESIGNATED DRIVERS ARE LIFESAVERS

Top Photograph by Andrew D. Holman Photography

Sedona Strategy Marketing