City closes blood-splattered Harmony Grove Grille

Patches of blood dried on the concrete in front of a bench outside the Harmony Grove Grille are just part of a trail of blood that leads from the restaurant, across to North Elm Street and across the Jefferson Road.

City closes blood-splattered Harmony Grove Grille

Posted by

Mark Beardsley

in Public Safety

Wednesday, May 12. 2010

Comments (39)

The city of Commerce closed the Harmony Grove Grille Monday after city police found one of the restaurant’s owners asleep amidst blood on the restaurant floor.

It turned out that co-owner Hal Walsh had apparently cut his hand severely. He and Reggie Pittman, identified as the grill’s sous chef, were sleeping off the previous night’s alcohol, according to officer D.E. Kiser, who responded to the scene.

At first, though, officers feared the worst.

Police responded to the South Broad Street business just after 8:00 Monday morning when two Jackson County 911 workers taking a morning walk encountered a trail of blood on North Elm Street, followed it to Harmony Grove Grille and called 911 after seeing a bloody body on the floor.

Officers arrived and knocked, but getting no response, broke down the door.

“I saw one male subject laying on the floor with blood all around him,” Kiser wrote in his report. “I saw another laying in a booth not moving. While standing at the door, I saw large amounts of blood on the ground in front of the door.”

After the officers entered, Pittman sat up in the booth and stood up. Then Walsh, 50, got up.

“I saw that Walsh was covered in blood and was unsteady and very pale,” Kiser said.

What happened exactly remains unclear.

“He wouldn’t tell us anything,” said Kiser of Walsh. “He was intoxicated, wearing it off from the night before.”

According to Kiser, Walsh first explained that he cut his left hand with a knife. Later he said he cut it on a bottle as he smashed it into the mirror behind the bar. Pittman, said Kiser, explained that Walsh was “just upset about the business.”

Neither Pittman nor Walsh were charged.

Commerce building inspector Billy Vandiver declared the building “unsafe.” Building owner Robert House said the restaurant will not reopen.

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#1 Maysville resident on 05/13/10 at 03:01 PM [Reply]

WHAT THE HECK??? 2 GROWN MEN? SHAME SHAME.

#2 Joe Christmas on 05/14/10 at 05:15 AM [Reply]

It's not the building that's unsafe, it's the people that were running the restaurant.

#2.1 Anonymous on 05/14/10 at 09:35 PM [Reply]

totally agree....

#3 Janet Wyndell on 05/14/10 at 07:58 PM [Reply]

What an unfortunate incident. All the job loss affecting the Commerce area and now yet another restaurant closed, due to ownership? Why does what appears to be an accident cause the restaurant to close? There are people to run it(managers, cooks, servers ) although the owner has taken a well needed rest away from Commerce. I guess Mr House won't fix anything once again like when it was an antique shop, and the rain came in and ruined the merchandise in the store. They call them Slum Lords where I come from and he is one in the same. Get the rent and do nothing to keep the property in order.
Such a sad end to a great beginning.

#3.1 Anonymous on 05/17/10 at 11:26 AM [Reply]

House was the one who put a roof on that old building. I don't see a line of Commerce's finest citizens waiting to help our little city look better. That place looks a million times better than it did just a couple of years of ago.

It sounds like you have a personal beef. For what you call a "slum lord" that restaurant looks better than most buildings in down town.

#3.1.1 Janet Wyndell on 05/22/10 at 05:14 PM [Reply]

It does not take over two weeks to put glass in a door, and clean blood stained floors up. Give or take 24 hours, task could have been completed. Should he want to service the public in allowing the restaurant to operate. Mr House used this opportunity to his advantage and not the Inn Keeper, not the towns people so to speak. Your right, he put a roof on that building some years ago, pd for with Federal grant money and applied by non professionals in the business of restoring historic building. It was a mess from the git go. No personal beef with the man, just in the know!

#4 jeremy harris on 05/14/10 at 10:26 PM [Reply]

i think it is time for a Christian restaurant to come here because all the booze drinking karaoke singing ones are not cutting it. if you think we need more of a family oriented atmosphere here in commerce then let your voice be herd. start protesting all the junk our city is allowing to come in and operate as so called businesses. these types of business have proven to be unsafe and unhealthy for our families. let your voice be herd by honking your horns every time you drive past the blood stained building called HARMONY GROVE GRILLE.

hello i am pastor Jeremy of Community church and personally i am glad this bad influence is out of our city and away from our families.

you can help make sure this does not happen again by not being silent. let your voice be herd, talk to our Mayor, City Manager, and Counsel members and let them know how you feel, and remember " the only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing".

p.s don't forget to honk your horns.

God bless you and your families.

#4.1 Bishop on 05/17/10 at 11:29 AM [Reply]

All the boose drinking karaoke singing ones??? Longhorns, Applebees, Wingslingers, Outback...they all serve beer. Funny thing though, I enjoy dining out with my family and feel safe with my son at these places, too. Other than serving food to patrons, I wouldn't compare any of these places to Harmony Grove Grille.

I am a proud Christian but I don't really appreciate your comments. Comparing all restaurants to Harmony Grove would be like comparing all pastors to a priest charged with abuse. Perhaps praying for the previous staff of the Harmony Grove Grille would be more positive.

If anyone wrecks due to random honking in front of your "church" or the closed Harmony Grove restaurant, I wonder if the Commerce Police would accept the excuse, "Pastor Jeremy told me to honk"?? Probably not.

#4.1.1 SamBam on 05/18/10 at 02:15 PM [Reply]

Note to self, Community Church is not the church my family will be joining.

#4.2 Anonymous on 05/17/10 at 01:00 PM [Reply]

These restaurants aren't as bad of an influence as this display of legalism.

#4.3 Anonymous on 05/18/10 at 11:34 PM [Reply]

Not everyone that lives in Commerce is a Christian, sir. And those who do not have your same ideals should not be forced to act the way you think people should.

#4.4 notsureaboutthat on 05/19/10 at 06:44 AM [Reply]

I'm reminded of a bumper sticker on a car on I-85 that said "Honk if you love Jesus." The guy in front of me honked, for which he received the finger.

So much for loving Jesus.

Honk if you want as you pass the former Harmony Grove Grill, but beware of unintended consequences and be sure that all you're going to accomplish is to make other drivers mad.

#4.5 Anonymous on 05/22/10 at 10:50 AM [Reply]

Pastor, as a Christian, I try to show more compassion when an unfortunate incident like this happens. Modeling Jesus isn't asking people to honk their horns. As a pastor, you show little compassion. Did you ever go into this restaurant and introduce yourself to Mr. Walsh? Did you even pray for this man, or did you only pray that this "sinful business" would close? There are underlying circumstances most people don't know that led up to this unfortunate incident. True, it scars the city a bit, but it's not devastating to anyone but those directly involved in the operation of "the Grille". Job loss is bad any time but especially these days. I disagree that these types of businesses should be disallowed in our city. Obviously, people want them. Generalizing is never a good thing. There are rumors galore surrounding the incidents of that Monday and the subsequent closing of this restaurant. I'm not sure knowing the truth, which I do, would even matter at this point. Suffice it to say that Mr. Walsh wasn't sleeping it off from the night before. The severity of the cut hand and massive loss of blood was the cause of the deep sleep. Mr. Walsh, himself, said when he did wake up that he was surprised...that he really thought he wouldn't. I, for one, hated to see the closing of this restaurant and do hope someone else will reopen it and be a marvelous success. Some things weren't done with the best judgment, true enough, but to condemn carte blanche is so wrong. Remember all the things that were said about Jesus? How much was true? He was blalmed for so much but was guilty of none. We are human and we do wrong things and don't always use the best judgment. But I, and you as a pastor, should remember that Jesus was not one who condemned but one who forgave. And I'm sure you know what he says about forgiving and being forgiven. What say ye, pastor?

#5 Anonymous on 05/15/10 at 07:46 PM [Reply]

Only a matter of time before hal cracked! Not the most stable person around, to say the least!

#6 pastor jeremy on 05/17/10 at 08:07 PM [Reply]

if we do not have the freedom to share how we feel by honking our horns then what has this country came to. OH YEAH the Harmony Grove Grille was distinctly different from the other restaurants mentioned Above by Mr Bishop. all you had to do is go on main street at any given friday and you could hear profanity galore, not to mention the rowdy bar crowds that were present, and for Mr Bishop shame on you for taking up for sin such as this, maybe you need to be taught about biblical Christianity, not so called modern day Christianity. and for the compassion comment i prayed along with our church for the employees of this establishment not to mention many times we shared Christ with the owner and to his reply he said he was already a Christian.

#6.1 Anonymous on 05/19/10 at 09:15 AM [Reply]

I would be curious to hear your explanation of the "Biblical Christianity" perspective of these restaurants. I strongly suspect your opinion is based more in a traditional, legalistic view as opposed to what the Bible actually says.

#6.2 Anonymous on 05/19/10 at 02:02 PM [Reply]

I'm sorry, but if he told you he was already a Christian why the need to share Christ with him "many times"?

#6.2.1 Anonymous on 05/20/10 at 07:46 AM [Reply]

It's called being judgemental.

#6.3 Bishop on 05/20/10 at 09:24 PM [Reply]

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. Or...perhaps he should be the first to Honk his horn.

I have been on that street, on that block on a Friday evening while both Harmony Grove Grille and Wingslingers were both open. I heard a loud rendition of a country music song being performed by one of the patrons in Wingslingers. Outside, there was a croud of maybe 5 or 6 people. Jokingly, I commented on a tune that was terribly out of pitch and the most odd of things happened...people just laughed. No harm.

It isn't up to me to decide if these people were living in sin. They were not doing anything illegal, just standing outside. I know what is right/wrong for me and it is my job to teach my son to make the best choices for him.
In doing this, I'm going to teach him that people make decisions for themselves and he should make the best for himself and NOT to judge everyone in passing because they are doing something he may consider sinful.

Matt 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.

#7 Maysville resident on 05/19/10 at 03:26 PM [Reply]

I drive thru this area every single afternoon and honestly the worst part of these two blocks are all the DUI'ers outside smoking and still throwing cigarettes into the road even though a posted "ashtray" is 2 yards in front of them. There are now burned out buildings, other buidlings across the street next to a prominant furniture store with duct tape holding the window together and so on and so on. Are we concerned with the sinners or the sin that this beautiful little struggling town is going to make it or not. Someone will come into this space where Harmony was and take it over and attempt yet another little restuarant or hang out for adults. Thats what we have to continue to strive for. If sinners show up then lets hope they have cash and are hungry. We need Commerce to have commerce. Thats the point here, right??

#8 Pastor ? on 05/20/10 at 07:47 AM [Reply]

More like a joke ? Who gave you the right to judge Jeremy??? Go read your bible and what happens to those who judge Pastor...leading your flock straight to the fire pits with your hateful tongue.
Your not a christian in any sense of the word nor is your church if the believe any of the rubbish your preaching.
May god have mercy on you.

#9 Joe Christmas on 05/20/10 at 03:47 PM [Reply]

I've got an idea. This is coming from a long time Commerce resident. Bring back the pool hall that was in approximately the same location in the 60's and 70's. I remember all the excitement at that place and well come to think of it, the spirit of that place probably is what got into those two restaurant guys.

#10 not.even.from.commerce.still.effected on 05/20/10 at 11:52 PM [Reply]

LUKE 6:37...Really there isn't much more that should be said after that, however...just a personal observation/opinion what have you but, I find myself asking you mr.pastor jeremy,if you and your devout congregation of christians at said "Community" church feel so strongly about this matter(& you seem to have a "what we need" solutuion on deck)why then don't you all dare venture past your honking threatand run it yourselves...this christian restaraunt that is? I'm sure God would be ok with the church's traditional biblical titheings to go toward such a rightous establishment...all in his honor of course, I mean beats the heck outta honking to him right? christian owned and operated courtesy community church and pastor jeremy...ALL WELCOME..

#11 my my my on 05/21/10 at 01:45 PM [Reply]

well pastor, at least people are reading their bibles. to bad there using it to defend (sinful actions) instead telling people the truth with it.i agree with pastor jeremy, i am glad this influence is gone to..

funny it is always those who tell others not to judge that end up judging.

#11.1 Anonymous on 05/21/10 at 02:56 PM [Reply]

What exactly do you consider "the truth" with these "sinful" restaurants?

#12 Another Local Pastor on 05/21/10 at 04:40 PM [Reply]

It's a shame that this discussion has to be a war. I think both sides are missing the big picture. While Jeremy's way of provoking change (horn honking) may be a bit off, surely all can see that restaurants serving alcohol presents a higher likelihood of something bad happening. If common sense doesn't tell you that, just ask most insurance companies (as their liability premiums for restaurants rise if alcohol is served.)

Many people use Bible verses out of context. Many people-all the way from pastors to non Christians- use verses without really knowing what they mean. For example, Matthew 7 isn't saying that you are not allowed to judge, but rather that you should consider your own shortcomings before looking at others'.
Ephesians 5:11 says that Christians should speak up and against bad things when they see them.
So perhaps Jeremy needs a better plan to elicit change, and perhaps others need to more closely realize the dangers of public consumption of alcohol, and perhaps we all should take a step back to see what we can do to help ensure that events like this original article do not continuously occur in Commerce.

#13 Anonymous on 05/21/10 at 08:05 PM [Reply]

There is no need to kick a man when he's down. I hope both of these men can find a healthy way to deal with the stress of these bad economic times and find peace in their lives. I've been there before and it took hitting the bottom to get mentally and physically healthy. Pastor Jeremy, for you to publically go on a site and blast someone who is in a bad place makes me sick to my stomach. I hope that you are shown more mercy than you have shown others. You don't know what's going on in their personal lives and you never know when you will be the one that needs compassion.

#14 Hal Walsh on 05/21/10 at 08:41 PM [Reply]

As usual, the Fibbing and very biased (acronym with three letters in it) Commerce City Police Department Messed up again.
And, as we are all familiar with Mark Beardsley so called amature reporting of the misinformation being fed to him, he printed these outlandish lies.It just shows how far back in time Commerce, Georgia really is. It is sad except that I did get away with my LIFE and I am not exagerating about that.
I can Thank GOD about this and all the other blessings he has given me.
It is a shame about Jeremy and his failing church busness though. He has been caught throwing garbage against the back door of the HARMONY GROVE and then lying about it with witnesses watching him. But everybody has their own god.
I am a Catholic and I love my Church, My Parents, My Children and My Dear,Dear Friends.
And to those of you who sign in Anonymous I am sorry for you but I don't blame you.
I refused to answer the call to join the (YOU KNOW) so I was forced out of town instead which is really best for me. What was said about me is really known by my friends and family not anonymous people.
I truly tried to give Commerce Something.

#14.1 Sandy McAlister on 05/24/10 at 09:47 AM [Reply]

Well Hal, you gave the kids at the well spring camp something with your donations and support. You and I both know you helped everyone with any cherity case that came in there. I am proud of you and hope you make a speedy recovery. Commerce has and seems will always miss the point...to build a strong healthy community you as a citizen are to support it. In my opinion this is just one of the many flaws of Commerce Georgia. I love you Hal Walsh!!!

#15 pastor jeremy on 05/24/10 at 05:46 PM [Reply]

well if you read the blog slowly and in text you will see that i never blasted anyone especially mr hal. but i did and will continue to speak out against the community demoralizing this bar/restaurant brought to our city, and for mr hal, you ought to be ashamed for lying about me the way you did. hitting your building with garbage is a ridiculous lie at its best, and for the so called witness this all is news to me. any way i forgive you hal and pray you truly find christ. oh by the way community church is far from failing and i invite you all to come and experience the life changing power of jesus christ. may God bless you all .

#16 Anonymous on 05/24/10 at 07:41 PM [Reply]

How about we honk our horns everytime we past the pastors house or church, for that matter. Do unto others as you'd have done unto to you! Seems as though he should save his preaching for his church because if we wanted to hear it, that's where we'd go!

#16.1 Anonymous on 05/31/10 at 12:05 AM [Reply]

Pretty sure that his church is pretty close to the restaurant so that won't work.

#17 Anonymous on 05/24/10 at 10:19 PM [Reply]

The restaurant might have had a little more success had the owners known how to run a business..ie keeping food and beverages stocked and paying employees...Everything happens for a reason and this was a GOOD THING THAT HAPPENED to Commerce Ga!

#18 Maysville resident on 05/26/10 at 10:35 AM [Reply]

So Mr Hal, today's news says you owe for a bad check and you dont have a valid lisc to even drive. Will you make it right? Will you?

#18.1 Anonymous on 06/11/10 at 01:55 PM [Reply]

Hal has made all right

#19 Joe Christmas on 05/27/10 at 02:02 PM [Reply]

This idea of honking horns is ambiguous. In a bygone age honking the horn at somebody leaning against the parking meter was a way of saying hello. Now the preacher man wants us to honk the horn as a protest. Since I am a positive person I vote for "Honk For Howdy".

#20 Maysville resident on 05/28/10 at 03:10 PM [Reply]

Honk for Howdy. Thats the best post I have ever read. I agree, "Honk for Howdy" has my vote too. Now who will Honk? Pastor Jeremy who is beginning to sound like a 15 yr old? Anonymous will you honk?? Of course then you wont be anonymous anymore but that's ok. You can come out into the open with the rest of us.

Cant wait to see what happens next......

#21 reply 1- to all on 05/28/10 at 08:44 PM [Reply]

been sober for 8yrs.now and i can tell you not one good thing that came from drinking and drugs. these guy were recouping from a night of alcoholism and prehaps something more,(we do not know this for sure),but very probable.this is said from a man that lived this(or that way)for 26yrs.this behavior these two men displayed is not normal by any means.the only thing that comes from this kind of behavior is harm and GOD forbid death. yes i agree that these are not stable men and by no means would i want my children around them, nor any other children for that measure.yes i belive that we are better off without the BAR in town. as far as the two men go, if they are going through something they should seek counsel not violence to take care of thier problems. they the two adult men were really the ones acting 15yrs. old.

#22 honker on 05/28/10 at 09:12 PM [Reply]

i will honk

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City closes blood-splattered Harmony Grove Grille

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