The Old James Joyce (a.k.a. Brewhouse Cafe Avondale) Closing April 28

The Avondale Estates bar that kept changing its name -- from James Joyce Irish Pub to the Hail Mary to the Avondale Arms and finally -- is closing its doors on April 28.

Ashley Wheldon, one of the managers, said Wednesday afternoon, that financial problems brought down the bar on East College Avenue in Avondale Estates.

She said all dozen employees have been offered work at the Brewhouse Cafe in Little Five Points, the other bar owned by Denise and Michael Gerard.

The bar may not have drawn enough customers, but it got attention because of its identity crisis.

The James Joyce opened in 2002 and developed a loyal following. and reopened a few days later as modeled after a place in Grayson.

Denise Gerard has said she expected the Hail Mary folks to keep running the bar, but they pulled out in December.

The Gerards took over the pub again and named it the Avondale Arms for a short period. The name Brewhouse Cafe Avondale was added last January.

Patch has not been unable to reach the Gerards for comment during the last week by phone, email and dropping into the bar.

The bar maintains a strong Irish atmosphere, with a dark, polished bar and booths and framed posters celebrating Irish sports and culture.

"The atmosphere is great, it reminds me of home," said Sean Reilly, a native of Limerick, Ireland, who was enjoying a beer Wednesday afternoon. "It's not a redneck bar. Look at this workmanship," he said, gesturing around the room.

"They should have left it the James Joyce," he said.

Online comments to other Patch stories showed .

Tim Norris sat at the bar drinking a beer, reading the paper and watching a soccer game.

"I tried all the different incarnations," he said. "It's too bad. I'm not here often enough to say but it looks like there's not enough people."

When the James Joyce closed last fall, patrons held a mock funeral. No plans have been announced for April 28.