Whitesville will soon be home to its first Mexican restaurant, with Ernesto’s Mexican Bar & Grill set to open in the former Kelly Rae’s location. Owner and operator Ernesto Martinez said the new location will open for lunch and dinner, and he also plans to continue Kelly Rae’s tradition of serving early-morning breakfast.
Kelly Rae’s Country Cafe announced it was closing on Thursday after nearly 15 years in business.
At 10130 KY 54, Martinez said the new location will also offer beer and margaritas, making it the first restaurant in Whitesville to sell alcohol. As is, the local ordinance will only allow him to serve beer, but Mayor Patsy Mayfield expressed a willingness to work with him on the issue.
Martinez said he’s slightly concerned about serving breakfast because he’s never done it before, but he understands how important it is to the community.
He’s working with Scott and Kelly Greer, who own Kelly Rae’s, to ensure a smooth transition.
“I’m working with Scott on the breakfast. I’ve never done it, but it won’t be a problem,” Martinez said. “My job is to make people happy. Whitesville is full of great people, and we have to do our best with this community.”
Martinez also operates Ernesto’s locations in Wesleyan Park Plaza and on KY 54. He said he’s locked into leases at both locations and plans to continue operating there for the foreseeable future unless someone offers to buy.
Martinez and the Greers have kept the news quiet for some time, but as it has slowly leaked out, Martinez said he’s been overwhelmed with support from the Whitesville community. He expressed his appreciation to Mayfield and the entire Whitesville City Commission.
“Mayor Patsy and the city have been amazing,” he said. “As a stranger, I didn’t know what to expect when I first went to meet them, but Patsy and the other commissioners introduced themselves to me and welcomed me with open arms.”
He said they’re constantly asking him what they can do to help.
“It’s wonderful people out there. They speak nicely and joke with me,” he said. “They’re also ready for margaritas. I think Whitesville is ready for this.”
Upon Kelly Rae’s closure at the end of this month, Martinez and his team plan to remodel and update the building to “make it theirs.” He said his brother created a design for the establishment that would surprise people. He also wanted to reassure the community that the license plates would remain a focal point.
He anticipates opening sometime in mid-to-late September, and Mayfield said the city and community are ready.
“We are so excited that we are going to get something in the location. I was worried we wouldn’t have anything,” Mayfield said. “I think folks will like it. The only complaint I was getting was people worried he wouldn’t serve breakfast, but if he’s going to do that, I expect those phone calls will stop. I think this will be a great partnership.”
