After 10 years operating in Kingston’s downtown, Blu Martini announced on Wednesday that the business would be closing in one week after September 10.
Chris and Pam Fountas have owned the building and business for over 10 years, and in a Facebook post said they’ve been in the local hospitality scene for 50 years and decided the time was right to make a sale.
Chris Fountas says they’re now going to lease the property to Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar and Gill, a chain restaurant with over 80 locations throughout Canada that he thinks will be a good fit for the downtown core, and will be able to provide a stable business to the location.
Fountas said that the time was just right to get out of the bar and restaurant business, and while he hoped someone would take over Blu Martini itself, that option didn’t materialize.
“I’ve been in the industry for 55 years, I’ve been in this location for 41, and I think it was time for me to spend some time for myself,” Fountas said.
“I didn’t have any successors, my children weren’t interested… I had a lot of fun, but let’s face it, things have changed out there right? It’s not like it used to be.”
Fountas said in his time operating Blu Martini, it’s the customers he’ll remember the most fondly.
The Fountas family has been a big supporter of live music in the community through the Blu Martini and Chris said he really wanted to find a way to ensure that the venue could continue to host live music events.
On Wednesday’s post from Blu Martini, a number of fans and members of Kingston’s live music community lamented the loss of a great venue, and one that allowed for bigger shows than most of Kingston’s bar venues.
However, while Chuck’s Roadhouse is not traditionally a live music bar, Obsidian Group Inc. Marketing Director Corey DeNeire said the company understands how important a role Blu Martini has played in Kingston’s music scene.
While it will ultimately be up to the franchisee, there is potential for the space to continue to play a role in Kingston’s music scene.
“While Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill is traditionally focused on delivering an exceptional bar and restaurant experience, we absolutely understand the unique role that Blu Martini has played as a music venue in Kingston,” DeNeire wrote in an email.
“Live music can certainly continue at this location, but it will ultimately be at the discretion of our franchisee. If live performances align with their operational vision and work within the restaurant’s structure, it’s something that could definitely be considered moving forward. Our focus is always on creating a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere, so we remain open to opportunities that enhance that experience.”
DeNeire said that Kingston’s growing economy and commitment to family style restaurants were selling points as a potential location for Chuck’s Roadhouse, and while there’s no conceptualized opening date at this time he promised it would be “relatively soon”.
Blu Martini’s last day of operations will be next Tuesday, September 10, after which point Fountas says he expects the bar to be gutted and redesigned for Chuck’s Roadhouse to move in.
The Fountas family still owns the building and will operate as the landlord for Chuck’s Roadhouse.
