Adam Sturges
The family farming business might not have been the right career fit for Adam Sturges, but the qualities he saw in farmers growing up, like dedication, would stick with him.
He remembers watching farmers working late into life, and today, as he reflects on the restaurant business he has built, he imagines working for as long as he can, too.
“I love this industry,” he said. “So, I’m going to stay in it as long as I can.”
Sturges has worked in the field in some form since high school, when he held a part-time job as a short order cook, and would later work jobs as a bartender.
These days, he owns three Harrisburg restaurants of his own, McGrath’s Irish Pub, The Sturges Speakeasy and Mad Moose Tavern, managing a large staff and feeding loyal customers.
Growing up, Sturges loved watching the sitcom, “Cheers,” and fantasized about someday owning a bar like the one on the show, but he never believed it was actually achievable. He never attended business school and didn’t have lots of extra cash to throw around, but he made it happen. Even now, as he takes inventory of his business success, the relationships he’s built and recent expansions, he can hardly believe it.
“It’s funny, for you to say you want to do a story about me, that blows my mind,” he said. “I’m just a bartender, that’s how I still think about myself.”
Setting the Table
After years of cooking and bartending, Sturges’ first big step in the industry came when he took on the role of general manager at McGrath’s Pub in downtown Harrisburg when it first opened in 2002. Under then-owner, Tom Scott, Sturges learned the ins and outs of operating a restaurant.
“He really taught me a lot of things about the business that really set me up to be successful,” Sturges said.
After 10 years of working at McGrath’s, Sturges opened his own place in 2012—The Sturges Speakeasy. It wasn’t hard for him to come up with the idea or theme for his restaurant. He simply looked at the building to determine what would fit best in the space and the neighborhood. Veering from the Irish pub he had spent so many years in, he decided on an American theme and, he thought, what’s more American than a speakeasy?
“I wanted to make this a good neighborhood bar that had better-than-average food, that people felt comfortable in,” he said.
In 2017, Sturges purchased a second restaurant, this time one he was very familiar with. Scott sold McGrath’s, leaving his business in the hands of his trusted former employee.
Sturges’ day-to-day work changed with the expansion, forcing him to bounce back and forth between locations and spend more time running behind-the-scenes operations. It was an adjustment, he explained.
But the changes would only continue as he opened his third business in late 2022. Sturges purchased the former Midtown Tavern in Harrisburg, reopening shortly after under the name the Mad Moose Tavern. The restaurant fits well with his others, as it offers the same neighborhood bar feel, where friends can catch up over a drink and a burger or pizza.
“So far, the response to the food, to the atmosphere, has been fantastic,” he said. “Everybody’s been so supportive.”
Cheers & a Smile
While Sturges has continued to expand his restaurant portfolio, he hopes that the growth provides more opportunities for his staff members.
Chris French has worked alongside Sturges since 2002, bartending at McGrath’s and later working for him as a manager. Velva Hockley is another staff member who has worked with Sturges since he opened the Speakeasy in 2012.
Both described a positive work environment where staff felt cared for, even noting times when Sturges financially helped employees who were going through a rough time. Staff feels more like family than co-workers, they explained.
Expanding to the Mad Moose was all part of Sturges’ plan to give some of his longest, most loyal employees, who have worked years behind the bars, taking orders and organizing shift schedules, the chance to advance into operational management positions.
Both French and Hockley are now part of that management team.
“Adam is very good to his employees; he cares about them a lot,” Hockley said. “I’ve never considered leaving, even on the hardest days because I knew we’d get through it.”
Customer loyalty at Sturges’ restaurants runs deep, as well. Jacki Hagmayer has been dining at McGrath’s for over 20 years, as well as the Speakeasy and Mad Moose. She’s known Sturges since his bartending days at McGrath’s.
“He always served beer with a ‘cheers’ and a smile,” she said. “He knew our names, there’s something to be said about that.”
Over the years, she hasn’t shied away from giving Sturges a little constructive criticism here and there, but only because of the relationship he’s built with her.
“I’ve always liked Adam,” she said. “He a good guy.”
Friends & Family
That’s what Sturges loves about what he does—the longtime staff members who have become family and the customers who have become friends.
“When you can walk in and walk around the bar and talk to 20 people—it’s that communication with the customers that I really enjoy,” he said.
Although his time is now spread between three restaurants, Sturges still makes sure he’s easy to reach. Customers can always dial extension four after the business’ phone number to talk to him.
“I want people to know I’m as invested as they are,” he said.
Sometimes, Sturges will sneak into one of the restaurants, sit at a table, and look around at the room full of people, many of whom he’s built relationships with over the years. He admits that his busy schedule doesn’t allow him to do it too often, but when he does, it’s rewarding.
“I can sit back and think, wow, I can’t believe that I was able to build this,” he said. “When everybody’s having a blast at a place that I took the risk and went for, it feels great.”
McGrath’s Irish Pub is located at 202 Locust St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.mcgrathspub.net.
The Sturges Speakeasy is located at 400 Forster St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.sturgesspeakeasy.com.
The Mad Moose Tavern is located at 1101 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.madmoosetavern.com.
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