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The Beach House in Long Beach relocating, set to reopen in December

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UPDATE: The Beach House announced Wednesday, after the Herald went to press, that it was relocating across the street and is set to reopen in December.

The Beach House, the popular bar and restaurant that was a fixture in the West End for more than a decade, closed on Monday following one last bash that attracted more than 100 revelers. But on Wednesday, the business announced on Instagram that it was moving across the street and reopening in December.

Though a number of residents said that the closure came as a shock, the business, at 906 W. Beech St., was facing a steep rent increase and did not renew its lease, according to James Lynch, a member of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.

“This has been in the works for a while — the landlord wanted to raise the rent,” Lynch said. “It was a lease dispute. Unfortunately, it was something that they couldn’t work out.”

The Beach House made the initial announcement that it was closing in a brief post on its Instagram page featuring a video of a packed house cheering and celebrating into early Monday morning.

“When you try and close for the last time ever, but no one wants to leave,” the business stated.

Kevin and Sean Killarney, owners of the business, could not immediately be reached for comment as the Herald went to press on Wednesday. But Sean Killarney said Wendesday evening that the business was relocating to 912 W. Beech St., formerly home to J.W. Trainor's and most recently Pour Choices, part of a deal that was finalized that day. 

Just a week ago, the restaurant, which was also known for its live music and nightlife, announced a new fall and winter football menu on Instagram.
Musician Jahstix, who performed regularly at the Beach House, thanked the business on Instagram for “all the love and memories.” He did not return a call seeking comment.

The Killarneys also own a Beach House location in Rincon, Puerto Rico, that was used as a relief center by members of the FDNY in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria last year.

The business teamed up with Skudin Surf and Surf for All, a local non-profit that works with people with disabilities and special needs, to help residents and local businesses in Rincon, and held a fundraiser at its Long Beach location last year to raise money for the relief effort.

“I heard it came as a shock,” West End resident Brendan Healy, chairman of the West End Neighbors Civic Association’s committee on standards and quality of life, said of the business’s closure. “It was a well-liked establishment for many years — I think they were positive about, and had a good relationship with, residents on Wyoming [Avenue]. I think they were proactive and worked with the neighbors, and neighbors would like to continue the partnership with whoever decides to lease the space.”

Two city officials said that they heard the Beach House had been sold to the owners of a local bar, but a person with knowledge of the business’s closure said that that deal fell through.

Lynch and Healy said there was no word yet on any new business that might occupy the now vacant space at 906 W. Beech St. Healy added that no notice had been provided to the city or State Liquor Authority regarding a change in the establishment’s liquor license.

“There shouldn’t be a new liquor establishment there until approval by the SLA,” he said.