JJ’s Bar and Grill held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 14 at 726 W. Oglethorpe Highway inside the EconoLodge hotel.
Owners Jose Espada and Jose Pineda welcomed friends, Liberty County Chamber of Commerce staff and community members to the event. Chamber board member Kathy Villafane welcomed the new business to the chamber and thanked everyone for attending the event.
Espada and Pineda are from Puerto Rico originally and served together while stationed on Fort Stewart. Pineda spent over 20 years in food service while serving in the military, while Espada has experience in the bar-and-entertainment industry. The name JJ’s Bar and Grill comes from the owners’ first names.  
The business has been a long-time dream for both men.
“We met back in 2000, and shortly after, we started having conversations about owning our own business,” Espada said. He said their goal is to have “a place you can come and enjoy some great food and also enjoy some great drinks, along with nightlife entertainment.”
The restaurant primarily serves Latin cuisine, with some American dishes. The ceremony was followed by a grand-opening celebration in the evening with live entertainment, salsa dancing and a photo booth with a professional photographer.
“We had a great time during the ribbon-cutting ceremony and really appreciated all the support from the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce as they embraced us as part of their family,” Espada said.
The restaurant at JJ’s Bar and Grill is open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The bar is open from noon-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-
2 a.m. Friday-Saturday.