The final beer was poured.
The final toasts were made.
The final laughs were had.
And some final tears were shed.
Teehan’s, the longtime Irish bar in downtown Tinley Park, saw its final day Sunday as the establishment people know it by.
Fittingly, it was also the day the 24th Tinley Park Irish Parade took place and Teehan’s patrons got to wave, hoot and holler from the establishment at 17329 S. Oak Park Ave.
The 171-year-old structure will be vanquished, and a near-replica erected as a part of the village’s Harmony Square Plaza development.
But for Sunday, it was a chance for folk to soak in some history and memories during the bar’s final hours.
Tinley Park’s Joe Orozco arrived 2½ hours before the parade’s step off to get a spot at the outdoor area to watch the parade.
“I’ve staked this claim here for almost 15 years,” Orozco said. “I’ve always had fond memories of this place and all of my friends at the parade. We’re very sorry to see the change and hopefully it’s for the best.”
Tinley Park’s Mike and Cindi Maus have staked their parade-day claim at Teehan’s in recent years as well.
“What’s better than watching an Irish parade from an Irish bar?” Cindi asked.
Mike paid his respects by showing up to the tavern Thursday and Friday afternoon in addition to Sunday.
Vernon Hills couple Nicole Seibt and Jeff Schmidt usually watch the parade from another vantage points. But Sunday, they wanted to be at Teehan’s for its last hurrah.
Seibt grew up and lived in Tinley Park and has enjoyed the place over the years.
“I was able to walk over here” she said. “On days off, I would come here and hang out with guys in the trades.
“And, on weekends, of course, I loved the music and everyone in town would congregate and you would know familiar faces.”
Seibt said she is sorry to see it go.
“A million percent,” she said. “This is the heart of Tinley Park. Teehan’s has been here since 1917 and generations of people have come here.”
Seibt said she doesn’t think the new place will be quite the same, but appreciates the name being kept.
“I hope the name stays for however long Tinley Park is still around, whether it’s another century or two centuries,” she said. “Hopefully there will still be a building here that will be Teehan’s.”
Her husband grew to appreciate the place in the 17 years he has known Seibt.
“I liked the camaraderie,” Schmidt said. “The people are great. It’s an old-school place to come out and hang with people downtown.”
Orozco is willing to give the new Teehan’s a chance, after the change of ownership from Regis Teehan to Durbin’s owner Tom McAuliffe.
“Regis is a great host and I hope all the best for her,” Orozco said. “I’ve seen some renderings, and it looks like it might be close. They look like they are going to have a rooftop.
“But if they tear this down, I’m coming back and getting a brick. I’m not kidding, for 15 years, I’ve been standing at this spot, and I want a brick.”
Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said there is excitement for the new Teehan’s
“It was amazing to see all of the people who came, excited to see all of the renderings,” Glotz said. “People are excited waiting for the new building and it will be done hopefully by February.”
He said abatement will start in two weeks.
The mourning of Teehan’s actually started Thursday, with musical acts in the tavern and in a tent. There also was an Irish wake for the establishment Saturday.
The parade itself had thousands lining Oak Park Avenue and a warm and sunny day (with some wind) had many in a good mood. Glotz said he was hoping for a crowd of 20,000.
There were more than 80 floats along the route that included entries from community groups, area schools, dance groups and businesses.
Andrew High School’s Jeff Keane and John Tadia provided the announcements in the downtown area and WGN-TV reporter Bronagh Tumulty was the grand marshal.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
