This morning, Fat City received an e-mail from Joy Jacobs, the owner and operator of the three-year-old R Bar, the restaurant, saloon and music hall in the West Bottoms:
"After much thoughtful consideration, I have made the painful decision to close the R Bar. It's been a tremendous struggle for multiple reasons, but mostly because I'm not wired to be a restaurant operator. I loved building the brand and have met some amazing people along the way. I am looking forward to having the energy to spend time with my friends and family."
Jacobs told Fat City this morning that the toll of running the venue - which was open only on weekends since last autumn - had finally worn her down. "I like creating new ideas," Jacobs said, "but the daily grind of operating a restaurant was really hard. I have a real appreciation for the people who do it successfully."
Joy had listed the venue for sale last year - she says it's still for sale - but continued to operate the R Bar on a limited schedule. She says the epiphany to finally close the doors hit her last month after taking a camping trip to Colorado with her partner, Lisa Morales, and their 2-year-old son. "I realized how little time I was spending with him," Jacobs says.
The R Bar stopped food service last weekend. The bar side of the business ends this Saturday: "All drinks will be 30 percent off," she says.
"I'll continue to rent the bar out for parties, special events, and opo-up restaurants," Jacobs says. "And we still may present musical concerts there."
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