A Pikesville culinary staple for decades, Jilly’s Bar & Grill was the scene of a three-alarm blaze on Oct. 28. According to Baltimore County Police, Pikesville resident David Michael McDermott was charged with second-degree arson in connection with the fire.
In the aftermath of the fire, local leaders and Jmore readers shared their thoughts and support for the longtime Pikesville culinary institution and their favorite memories over the years.
“I remain in close contact with the Reich family after Jilly’s Bar & Grill collapsed in a three-alarm fire this morning,” tweeted Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka. “We will do everything we can to help this Pikesville community staple. Thanks to everyone who continues to express and show support during this difficult time.”
Sen. Shelly Hettleman spoke of Jilly’s as the destination for her “family’s late-night dinners for many years.”
The Pikesville Owings Mills Regional Chamber of Commerce shared a message on their facebook page, saying “It is a terrible day for our Pikesville community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the owners of Jilly’s Bar & Grill. Deep thanks to our Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company and Baltimore County FD.”
And Jmore readers took time to remember some of their happy times at Jilly’s.
Jilly’s holds an important place in Ashley McCauley-Rombro’s life. “Went on a date there after a difficult breakup with my then boyfriend,” McCauley-Rombro wrote. “Within hours of the date, he heard through the grapevine (neighborhood gossip) that I’d started dating again. In a jealous fit he returned to me and pledged undying love. We’ve now been married for 7 years. (story embellished for dramatic effect but a true story nonetheless). So Jilly’s will always be a romantic crime scene for me.”
Lauren Esakoff, a Jmore managing partner, vice president and director of sales, wrote:
My daughter Eliana has been going to Jilly’s since she was an infant in a carrier. We know all the employees and even had our favorite section in the bar. Whether we were there for Monday Night Football, one of many of Eliana’s birthday celebrations with a group of 10 friends, to hear live music on the street, or simply our weekly visit for a great burger, we enjoyed our times there. It’s part of our story, our history. And it’s particularly sad for this terrific neighborhood. But what I enjoyed most about Jilly’s is how much the clientele reflected the diversity of our neighborhood and how well everyone got along. We can all take a lesson from it. Jilly’s was a meeting spot for people from all walks of life. Especially now, during what I think is the most divisive time on our history, Jilly’s will be missed for the friendships.
Jilly’s was the place for many milestone celebrations.
“One of my favorite memories was when my husband threw me a surprise party upstairs in Jilly’s for my 40th birthday,” said Jody Rosenblatt Kesner. “More recently, we would meet friends there for taco night & always had a great meal & a great time!”
Rebecca Kaplan Fink came to Jilly’s for cards and the company. “We played our weekly canasta game upstairs (Becky, Sue, Randi, Michelle, Renay & Robbin).”
And for many, the Jilly’s memories go back through time. “We used to go there on Sunday nights as a family when I was a kid and teenager for Rib night,” wrote Jessica Weisman Maimon. “We so looked forward to that!”
Do you have a Jilly’s memory to share? Add it here.
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