James Beard Award nominee Janos Wilder is closing his Janos and J-Bar restaurants at the Westin La Paloma.
He announced the news to the staffers at the restaurants yesterday.
The fact that one of the area’s most renowned restaurants is closing will come as a shock to foodies around the country. However, it’s not a total surprise. In January, the Arizona Daily Star reported that Wilder had bemoaned the condition of the La Paloma in court documents related to a transfer of control of the struggling resort:
In another document, John S. Wilder, a premier Tucson chef widely known as Janos, said failure to move forward with the plan would jeopardize his ability to continue operating his restaurants at the Westin La Paloma.
“The lack of capital investment and general rehabilitation of the resort property has significantly impacted the ability of Wilder to maintain operations of the restaurant and bar,” the document says.
Wilder, who runs Janos Restaurant and J Bar, said any delay in renovating the resort would likely lead to his closing those operations and laying off 44 employees.
More information on the closure is expected to be revealed later today.
The closure is not expected to affect Wilder’s newest venture, Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails.
This article appears in Apr 19-25, 2012.
TW gets the scoop on this one!
yeah it’s always someone else’s fault when his restaurants flounder.
It’s more than the food that makes the restaurant. I’ve been to both of these places and the atmosphere was very stiff and uncomfortable. Not surprised they are shutting down.
This had been coming for a long time!
Gotta love “flounder.”
Lotsa good food for a good long time. Thanks and best wishes!
This has been coming for a long time! The service has been horrible this past year.
Janos? failed restaurants? What have you been smoking?
Janos is and always will be the absolute man in this town and nationwide. Losing these two restaurants is a tragedy for the local food scene. However, I know Janos will remain successful in his current and futre ventures and will continue to provide Tucson with great food for a long. time.
Anyone who has something negative to say about this man or his restaurants/food is clearly an in n out line waiting buffoon.
For the sake of many talented employees–and the folks who enjoy the unmatched local/regional cuisine at both places, I hope they are able to find a new location (like maybe the long vacant Café Terra Cotta). And, yeah, pulling up to a stuffy resort (La Paloma) which once hosted Dick Cheney always felt a little odd, but the great food and staff at J-Bar always made it worthwhile.
A restaurant with overpriced food is closing. Bummer.
Let’s be clear about this closure. It is not because he failed or the talented staff failed. He is closing due a resort that is bankrupt and can not find money to renovate a tired property. His lease was up and he would rather move or reconcept than stay in an out dated space with no financial support to remodel. Blame the new owner of the resort for that one.
I don’t know the insides or outs, but I would trust that Kristian’s assessment above would be as accurate as you will find.
KRISTIAN: Thank you! DING DING DING… If i weren’t so stupid, thats exactly what i would have said!
Takes a big man to accept responsibility for his decisions instead of blaming others…enough said.
Let’s see. The lease was up. The new owners are in chaos. Why would anyone stay?
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Janos was behind in his rent? Maybe do a little investigative reporting, and find out why La Paloma has been trying to get him out for at least 6 months.
La Paloma insider #2
Not true La Paloma insider. You obviously have very little knowledge about what exactly what being negotiated. Actually, they wanted to keep Janos and J-bar and made an offer to reconcept and remodel. It was a smart move on the Janos to get out of La Paloma whose new owners will be “pumping” and “dumping” the property trying to turn a profit. (think house flipping) The location is pretty lousy as well. The new owners have no investment in the Tucson community or in trying to bring real value to the folks that work here.
I have enjoyed some of the best meals in my life at Janos, J Bar and Downtown Kitchen. The service is always amazing and attentive, which you can’t always say about other restaurants.
Maybe now we get Wild Johnies Lunch Wagon back?
Can you spell O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D?
yeah we can spell it, it just has nothing to do with the topic at hand
There is no business because the economy sucks and the democrats in DC, in the County and City are part of the problem.
really James Anthony Bretney? how in the world you can bring all that into the fray I do not understand. Why do you blame the Democrats? That is really a lame point. The economy has little to do with this whole thing.
james Anthony Bretney STINKS
Doesn’t anyone care about the 44 people that are without a job? It’s almost summer in an industry that is dead in those months. Some of those people have families! That is the real tragedy here.
Thing is I bet most of them will find jobs. The restaurant industry in the town is pretty close knit. I am sure most will get good recommendations.
Obviously, some people have NEVER worked in a restaurant during the summer months in Tucson.. (maybe–you are too busy eating?)
Oh I have, albeit awhile back, but I did it.
I’ve also placed lots of people in hospitality jobs in Tucson and while summer is slow here there are options. Some people head back East and work resorts etc. It’s doable.
I have worked MANY MANY summers in restaurants in Tucson. Although business slows to a scary pace, it is actually just about as easy to find work because all the students leave who were working a good 40-50% of the food/service industry jobs.
44 people lost their jobs. That stinks. I don’t think Janos was a bad businessman. I think DC and Tucson is bad for business. The evidence is legion.