Bobbie's (also known as Bobbie's Diner) is the local diner and boarding house in Port Charles. From its establishment until 2024, it was named Kelly's from the original owners.
The diner was renamed "Bobbie's" in 2024, to honor the recently deceased Bobbie Spencer, and her late actress, Jacklyn Zeman.
History[]
Entrance to Kelly's on Pier 52
Kelly's, established in 1980 as a waterfront diner with boarding rooms upstairs, was founded by Paddy Kelly and his wife Rose. It soon became a favored gathering spot for the residents of Port Charles. Shortly after its inception, Rose employed Luke Spencer as a waiter.
Several years following Paddy's death in a mob-related incident, Rose departed the town to join her stepson and transferred ownership of Kelly's to Ruby Anderson, who became renowned for her wise counsel and celebrated chili.
In 1983, following their marriage in the General Hospital Chapel, Bryan Phillips and Claudia Johnston-Phillips celebrated their wedding reception at Kelly's.
In 1984, the financially ruined Quartermaine family moved into Kelly's, much to Edward's chagrin. During their time at the diner, Lila Quartermaine founded a new venture named Pickle-Lila to restore the family's wealth.
In 1990, Kelly's underwent a minor renovation, featuring a new red neon sign in the window and relocating the entrance to the diner's east side.
In 1992, Jagger Cates and several gang members broke into Kelly's and assaulted Ruby. Ruby eventually forgave Jagger for his involvement in the robbery and helped him get back on his feet by offering him a room above Kelly's and a job. Ruby also gave Jagger and Karen Wexler permission to have their wedding at Kelly's, which was attended by many guests from Port Charles.
As a family-owned establishment, Ruby frequently permitted Lucky Spencer to hold private "Kelly's-closed dinners" with Nikolas Cassadine, Emily Quartermaine, and Elizabeth Webber, featuring traditional potluck meals.
After Ruby's passing in 1999, she bequeathed Kelly's to her niece and nephew, Luke and Bobbie Spencer. Luke, in particular, struggled to maintain Kelly's without Ruby's presence.
Kelly's neon window logo
Following Ruby's passing, Luke and Bobbie handed the daily management of Kelly's to Tammy Hansen, who managed the establishment until her departure in 2001. Throughout the years, Luke and Bobbie alternated in the managerial role, also providing opportunities for various Port Charles residents to work and reside above Kelly's.
On New Year's Eve 2002, Carly Corinthos and Ric Lansing discovered the remnants of a 1920's speakeasy called “The Flynn's Club”, bricked off in the basement of Kelly's. Carly later ran a club here for a few years and named it The Cellar.
In February 2004, Luke and Bobbie hired Mike Corbin to manage Kelly's and live above the establishment. Mike became known for giving advice similar to Ruby's and for his chocolate chip cookies. He also hired a variety of Port Charles locals to work at Kelly's. Shortly after taking over Kelly's, Mike was attacked outside the diner by two thugs attempting to intimidate his son, Sonny Corinthos. Mike was quickly helped by Sam McCall, who was then assaulted. Soon after, Sam was saved by Emily Quartermaine, who held the attackers at gunpoint.
In 2008, when the Russian mob invaded Port Charles, two gangsters broke into Kelly's, attacked Mike, and then set the diner on fire, igniting a mob war that involved Sonny Corinthos. Shortly after Mike's recovery, Bobbie and Luke swiftly made arrangements to reconstruct the diner.
In 2010, Mike departed from Kelly's to enter gambling rehabilitation, prompting Luke to take over as manager once more. Luke frequently enlists his daughter Lulu to assist with the family business, despite her minimal interest in the role.
General Hospital - Kelly's Makeover ( GH50)
A video showing Kelly's makeover in 2013, released by ABC.
In February 2012, Shawn Butler was appointed as the new manager. Shortly after assuming his role, he discovered T.J. Ashford breaking into Kelly's and stealing food. Shawn then decided to mentor T.J., offering him employment and accommodation at the diner.
Later that year, Luke was particularly unhappy when Heather Webber was discharged from Ferncliff Asylum and compelled him to hire her at Kelly's, a place where she was notorious for her affinity for their BLT sandwiches. This arrangement was brief, as Heather soon demonstrated that she remained mentally unstable.
As of 2013, Kelly's appears to have undergone a renovation, featuring new neon lights and a fresh coat of green paint.
After Shawn's incarceration in 2015, the management of Kelly's was left uncertain.
In 2016, Kelly's experienced another attempted armed robbery, but the perpetrator was successfully subdued by Curtis and Jordan Ashford.
"Kelly's" is now "Bobbie's" (2024)
In 2021, Cameron Webber became a busboy at the diner. By October, he was promoted to Assistant Manager and hired his cousin Spencer Cassadine as a waiter.
The following year, after breaking up with Spencer, Esme Prince, in pursuit of her scheme to seduce his father Nikolas Cassadine, tried to persuade him to allow her to stay at Wyndemere Castle. Instead, he rented her a room above Kelly's. However, this arrangement lasted only a day because Esme, claiming a possible pregnancy and fearing Sonny Corinthos' retaliation for secretly recording Cameron and Josslyn's intimate moment, convinced Nikolas to let her move into Wyndemere, with Spencer accompanying her.
On May 3, 2023, Carly's assets were frozen by the SEC, resulting in her payment for a slice of pie being declined. She discussed with the waitress her aunt, Ruby Anderson, who once owned the diner. Although it was stated that Bobbie no longer owns Kelly's, this was later contradicted when Bobbie transferred ownership of Kelly's to Carly on July 24, 2023. As of that date, Carly Spencer became the new owner of the diner. She told her daughter Josslyn Jacks, that Bobbie had gone to Amsterdam to manage her late brother Luke's affairs. Carly's lawyer, Diane Miller, found out that in New York, a parent can legally gift a property or business to their child. Thus, Carly's mother sold her the diner for $1. Carly intends to renovate the upstairs rooms for residents or college students, rather than for her own residence.
On New Year's Eve 2023/24, the news broke that Bobbie had passed away in her sleep in Amsterdam. Seeking solace, Carly visited Kelly's, reflecting alone in the quiet of the closed diner. Elizabeth and Sonny each arrived, desiring to share in her sorrow. On January 9, the eve of Bobbie's funeral, a storm damaged the diner's iconic sign. Elizabeth volunteered to create a new one, aiming to honor Bobbie's memory. She crafted the sign with "Bobbie's" emblazoned on it, a gesture Carly and Lucas, Bobbie's surviving children, embraced, thus the diner was renamed.
When Jason is discovered alive in March 2024, he moves into the room about Bobbie's that Carly offers him. Carly also hires a new manager for the diner, Hunter Crews.Staff[]
- Hunter Crews (manager)
- Josslyn Jacks (waitress)
- Beth (waitress)
- Danielle (waitress)
- Julie (waitress)
- Katrina (waitress)
Ruby was recognized for initiating the trend of allowing numerous citizens to live and work at Kelly's, a tradition that continued even after her passing. These include:
- Diego Alcazar
- Brenda Barrett
- Cooper Barrett
- Spencer Cassadine
- Jagger Cates
- Mike Corbin
- Lily Corinthos
- Jimmy Lee Holt
- Frisco Jones
- Felicia Jones
- Georgie Jones
- Maxie Jones
- Ric Lansing
- Courtney Matthews
- Sam McCall
- Miguel Morez
- Jason Morgan
- Dillon Quartermaine
- Emily Quartermaine
- Juan Santiago
- Rebecca Shaw
- Bobbie Spencer
- Lucky Spencer
- Luke Spencer
- Lulu Spencer
- Holly Sutton
- Keesha Ward
- Cameron Webber
- Elizabeth Webber
- Karen Wexler
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The diner also originally served beer and wine under Paddy and Rose's ownership.
- Countless fights have also occurred at Kelly's some of these including Elizabeth Webber, Courtney Matthews, Faith Rosco, Carly Spencer, Reese Marshall, Skye Quartermaine, Lulu Spencer, Maxie Jones, Logan Hayes, Dillon Quartermaine, Cooper Barrett, and Lucky Spencer.
