Linda Matheny shares the story behind Hagy's Irish Pie Pub

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Linda Matheny, owner of Hagy's Irish Pie Pub in Charleston. Linda shares how her trip to Ireland inspired her to bring authentic Irish food to West Virginia. After discovering pastie pies in Galway, she and her husband decided to open the pub, serving dishes like shepherd’s pie and pastie pies. The pub’s opening on Saint Patrick’s Day was a success, and they’ve continued celebrating Irish culture with live music, including a local dulcimer band. Linda explains how they stay true to the Irish pub tradition by avoiding typical American fare like cheesesteaks and chicken wings. Instead, they offer honest Irish dishes alongside local favorites like pepperoni rolls. Linda also opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly the paperwork required to get an ABC license. Despite the struggles, she’s managed to balance running the pub with her day job as a hairdresser. Linda’s advice to other entrepreneurs is to hire carefully and be prepared for the long hours. Hagy's Irish Pie Pub has quickly become a local favorite, offering a taste of Ireland in downtown Charleston.