“Yep, the post that every business owner fears they’ll have to make one day, is upon us,” wrote Pete Wood, Co-owner of Bear & Joey.
On Wednesday, May 1st, the restaurant announced on social media their last service will be this Sunday, May 5th.
The owners moved to Victoria from Sydney, Australia and opened the popular Aussie brunch spot exactly four years ago as of May 5th, 2020—right in the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They say that because of factors that were out of their control, they now have to close up shop; however, they want to focus on the positive instead of the negative.
“We’ll spare the factors out of our control; the crippling effects of COVID on a new, unsupported business, the economy, the costs of well, everything, and instead take the opportunity to highlight and thank the many people who helped create our little hub of energy- those on both sides of the counter,” wrote the Bear & Joey owner.
They say that Victoria welcomed them with open arms and the support they have received over the years has been overwhelming.
Specifically, they say that their team of workers, both past and present, have been what made the restaurant what it was.
“I am so incredibly grateful for them and forever proud of their professionalism and grace,” Owner Pete Wood remarked.
“Our children grew up at Bear & Joey and I believe much of their early development is thanks to our warm, loving and patient team, who would go out of their way to connect with them. Steph and I will be forever indebted to you for this and thank you to no end.”
Related:
- ‘It has been an absolute pleasure’: Victoria’s Chorizo & Co. announces they are closing for good
- ‘Things happen’: Popular downtown Victoria bar abruptly closes doors for good
- Downtown coffee shop on Douglas Street selling for $100K on Used Victoria (UPDATED)
Wood says that through the past four years, after opening the restaurant at the beginning of the pandemic, he has experienced a myriad of emotions. Some of these include thick, unrelenting darkness, tears of anguish, daily knots in his stomach, crippling self-doubt; however, all of that has been balanced with excitement and pure bliss.
Pete Wood says that for now, he and his fellow Co-owners will be taking a breather from the industry while they continue to cheer on and their restaurant peers. For now he and Steph will be taking time to spend a bit more time with their children.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who made Bear & Joey what it is. We couldn’t have done it without you,” the Bear & Joey owner concluded.
Bear & Joey’s closure comes on the heels of a month which saw Smith’s Pub, Chorizo & Co. and Shatterbox Coffee all close for good as well.
