In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on May 1, the owners of Bear & Joey Cafe, a brunch-fare spot with Australian influences, announced their upcoming permanent closure.
“It still feels surreal to say out loud, but Bear & Joey will have its last service this Sunday, May 5th, exactly 4 years after its opening,” the post read.
“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.”
The cafe originally opened with an unlucky start, getting hit with the pandemic just as they were about to open. The business eventually launched in May 2020.
Owner Peter Wood is from Sydney, Australia where he operated two cafes and a pizzeria with other partners, and where he met his wife, originally from Vancouver Island.
Bear & Joey became a popular brunch spot in Victoria, but as the Instagram post read, it was not enough to sustain the challenges of the current economic climate.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow, knowing that if our timing was just a little better, and we got just a little bit of help during COVID, things would have been different,” the post, signed Pete, Steph, McKenzie, Ledger & the Bear & Joey Team, read.
“Whilst I already miss our team, our community, and the buzz of 1025 Cook Street, I look forward to being more present at home and making up for some missed moments with my wife and children.”
Wood acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the team and expressed gratitude for the community’s support.
Businesses and patrons of the cafe expressed sadness, and offered memories and sentiments of gratitude in the social media comments.
“I know how you put your soul and energy into everything you do and I know that wherever it’s next it will be a success,” read a comment from Ivan Meade, a designer who helped bring the restaurant’s concept to life.
“You are the cornerstone of our community and you will be missed more than you will ever know,” Mona Consignment said.
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