Another downtown business has announced its closure, adding to a list that seems to be ever-growing.
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar, an urban speakeasy and popular destination for craft cocktails, has announced it will close by the end of October after being part of Victoria's Bastion Square since 2013.
The restaurant sent out a newsletter on Sep. 5 to make the announcement, citing a rent increase as the reason.
"We've weathered floods, frozen pipes, and a pandemic, but unfortunately, a 40 per cent rent hike and rising costs have made it impossible for us to keep things going. While we're gutted, we're choosing to go out on a high note," the newsletter read.
The email ended with an invitation to the community to visit one last time.
"Come visit us for one (or many!) more rounds of our iconic cocktails, celebrated dishes, and that cozy, hidden-gem atmosphere we've all grown to love."
Created by Shawn Soole, who worked in the industry for 16 years, the restaurant bar was inspired by Jerry Thomas the “father of American mixology” and Harry Johnson the “father of professional bar-tending” reads its website.
Once opened, Little Jumbo quickly rose in ranks, earning the title Top 10 Best New International Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail (2014).
The current owner of Little Jumbo is Bruce Gillespie, who has been with the restaurant since 2013.
In similar circumstances, Vancouver Island Brewing announced at the end of August that it has to relocate its large-batch brewing operations to Phillips Brewing due to a rental increase of 35 per cent.
