16/08/2020
It’s not even 24 hours since the announcement that the restrictions will be lifted and we’ve already lost count of the number of messages asking when we will be re-opening.
To all of you - thanks for your enthusiasm! It’s good to know how much you were looking forward to visiting again and that you missed us while we were closed.
Whether you think that it was right or wrong, there were rules made to restrict the impact of this dreadful pandemic. We followed the rules despite the fact that it cost dearly, even paid the rent in full during a time when we had no use of the premises (I’m sure the landlord will think of something fun to do with the near 100k harvested from me over the past few months)
There are many others who also played by the rules, countless bars are now permanently closed as a result, some lost everything, countless jobs were lost, and we have all lost the bars we used to enjoy visiting.
To these - I salute you and you have my sincerest sympathy. I hope that you will find a way to recover, restart and thrive again with new ventures and new venues.
Then there are those who blatantly ignored the situation and continued to serve alcohol to customers, some just a few blocks away from us, oblivious and ignorant, selfishly dismissing the safety of their visitors while lining their pockets. While we were keeping our doors closed, there were restaurants that packed their venues (alcohol or not) also completely flouting the risks. Others were illegally selling off their liquor stock at ridiculous profits, taking advantage of the situation. To all of you I can only say, hang in there... Karma is a healer.
We are still here, still have everything in place, still have all of our stock and could shake up the drinks we’re known for - even as soon as Tuesday. I have however decided that, as a gesture of empathy with the good bars that had to close, I will not re-open Júus now.
I know that this will be disappointing news to all of you who were looking forward to visiting again. Be assured though, that soon enough we will be doing something new and even better in a new venue. The current lease is expiring soon and we will be moving, so we really look forward to seeing our friends and customers in a new place and time with new experiences and marvellous new creations.
So this is au revoir, not good-bye!
