Schubert, who moved to San Diego from Sacramento to build the pub with his partner and friends, spoke directly to customers from inside the decorated dining nook, as a version of Stand By Me played in the background, explaining that rising costs, slower nights, and the challenge of keeping his 20-person staff employed have pushed the business to the brink. “Unless we get help, we’re at the risk of losing Long Story,” he said. “This place has never been a business to me - it’s always been a community. But right now, we’re in a real pickle.”
In the video, Schubert reflects on the bar’s origins, noting that he opened Long Story with the goal of creating a warm, family-friendly pub where locals, kids, and even dogs felt welcome - a neighborhood hub that celebrated sports wins, birthdays, heartbreaks, and everyday moments over pints and pub food. “I believe we nailed that,” he said. “We’ve shared wakes, celebrations, bitter losses, and little league wins. This place belongs to all of you as much as it does to me.”
The pub has now launched a GoFundMe campaign titled Help Us Keep The Lights On at The Long Story Irish Pub, which had raised $585 of its $40,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon. Schubert emphasized that while donations help, what the business needs most is foot traffic. “More than monetary help, I’m asking you to please come to the pub,” he said. “Have lunch, have dinner, bring friends, tell friends. We need to fill this bar with the people who built it.”
According to the campaign page, funds will be used to cover rent, utilities, inventory, and payroll while the business works to stabilize. Schubert says he and his team have already cut costs, taken on additional hours, hosted community events, and even given away food to remind people that the pub is still open. “My biggest fear isn’t losing the business,” he said. “It’s losing the team that has become my family.”
The owner says the economic climate has “dog-piled” the service industry and that the pub - known for its sports-centric atmosphere, Irish-inspired comfort food, and loyal neighborhood following - is fighting through one of its hardest chapters since opening in 2021 in the former Royale space. “I hope this doesn’t go away,” Schubert said, visibly emotional. “Opening this bar and meeting all of you has been one of the true pleasures of my life.”
Long Story Irish Pub originally opened with partners Kyle Schubert, Nathaniel Winnett, Jerod Meents, and Joseph DeNigris, bringing Schubert’s Sacramento-bred Irish pub model to Point Loma after founding several successful concepts in Northern California. The menu features corned beef tacos, Shepherd’s Pie, bangers & mash, and a selection of Irish whiskeys and beers, along with 14 televisions broadcasting sports daily.
Whether the pub survives appears to depend on how quickly the community responds.
“We need your help to keep the doors open,” Schubert said. “If Long Story has ever given you a memory - a good meal, a good laugh - now’s the time to help us keep the story going.”
Long Story Irish Pub is located at 4204 Voltaire Street in San Diego's Point Loma. To donate, visit the pub’s GoFundMe page, and for more information, visit longstoryirishpub.com.
Originally published on December 2, 2025.
