The Great Jones Café will live on. The restaurant posted on its website and Facebook page last evening that they will reopen tonight at 5 after a one-week break.
Early last week, members of the waitstaff told diners that the 34-year-old Cajun favorite on Great Jones near the Bowery was closing for good. The story changed later on Wednesday, on what was said to be their last day. An employee told the Daily News that the Great Jones would close for a week of clean-up, and decide then whether or not to reopen. The employee said a permanent closure was a possibility, "but nothing has been decided yet." Another employee that night told DNAnfo that they could be closed for up to a year.
Perhaps the robust turnout last Wednesday evening helped the Cafe make a decision.
Updated noon:
Gothamist spoke to Great Jones owner Jim Moffett.
Some excerpts of the interview.
What happened is I got pretty badly hurt a week ago Saturday and went to the hospital. [Editor's note: Moffett said he was hospitalized for a "severe injury" but declined to elaborate.] In my absence we were forced to close for a short period of time but it was never my intention that the news should get out that we're closing period. It was a temporary closing until I got out of the hospital — which I did yesterday.
And...
We have some time left on the lease, not a lot of time. We've always been on a relatively short lease, I don't know why. This landlord, and the previous landlord, it's always been three to five year leases. I'd rather not get into the exact details, however, despite the fact that I owe the landlord some back rent—I'll be up front about that—he has told me that he wants us to stay as long as possible. There are no indications from him that he wants us out; quite to the contrary. We have a good relationship, he's a good guy. I don't foresee any trouble on that front.
Meanwhile, as Grub Street noted today, "Maybe it was the response [to the closing] that ensured the reopening."
Previously on EV Grieve:
The Great Jones Café is now closed, permanently or not
Huzzah!
ReplyDeleteNice PR stunt anyway.
ReplyDeletelove and have gone to this place for decades, good news...but i hope it doesn't turn into another st. mark's book scenario.
ReplyDeleteSo it was all much ado about nothing, eh?
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody have the inside dope about what is actually going on??
ReplyDeleteI have heard the owners are fighting. One is ill with something they want to upscale which of course means more expensive
It's not the same place as it once was. Jukebox unplugged, silly decor expunged. Not caring.
ReplyDeleteHip, hip, hooray! 🎉
ReplyDeleteNo jukebox; no dice.
ReplyDeleteBRING BACK THE PULLED PORK!
ReplyDeleteGJC without Judkins and the jukebox is like New Order without Hook.
ReplyDeleteI'll give it a few months before they turn into like Minetta Tavern or Beatrice Inn.
pulled pork sandwich is still on menu -- see website
ReplyDeletea big eye roll to this whole incident and its Greatly Exaggerated reporting and comments. it's not dead!! as of today it is re-opened!! it didn't die because the jukebox / records / beads are gone!! the food is the same!!
ReplyDeleteyeah, it's got me to go there, which I hadnt been by in years. But now that the EV is shot for old-timer spaces, this is definitely on my list for a ride by.
ReplyDeleteProlly got the August rent made with the last night crowds. Well played!
ReplyDeleteWhat's the punchline here?1
ReplyDeleteAs long as they still have that Jambalaya!
ReplyDeleteThe quotes from the owner were very Trump like and defiant
ReplyDeleteNice PR stunt.
ReplyDeleteHey owner guy if your place was never closing why did YOU have "Permanently Closed" on your official Yelp page you must control? Why'd you let it sit out there for days?
This "closing" by you not officially saying it was closed and letting it sit out there that it was closed for days was either a publicity stunt to drum up more business or a trial balloon to see if enough people wanted the new menu for the new and better people you really want (else why the rumors of a new menu for a new clientele?) You saw that no one was going for your new bull so you suddenly rushed to say you're not closing.
LOL @ you being so hard up for customers you drummed up a false rumor about your "demise."
You got rid of the guy who was the glue that held this place together anyway so bye.
No
ReplyDelete