Bubbalou’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que has closed its Winter Park location.
The popular barbecue restaurant has been in operation at 1471 Lee Road since 1986, but owners took to Facebook to explain that business had dropped significantly during the pandemic and that they were forced to operate the restaurant with just four employees at reduced hours.
Their Winter Park staff have all been relocated to Apopka and they will continue to operate their other locations in Altamonte Springs and Kirman Road as well.
Despite the quote below, the restaurant’s last day of business was Saturday, September 11.
TEXT FROM FACEBOOK POST:
This is undoubtedly the hardest post I have ever done…
After 35 amazing years, we have locked the doors on Bubbalou’s Winter Park for the final time.
Through those years, I have made friendships with clients that are irreplaceable. I learned more about life, tolerance, grace, dignity ( and sometimes the lack thereof ), and compassion in our little Lee Road Bar-B-Que shanty than you could ever imagine.
Having spent over half my life based out of that location, I literally “grew up” there. When we began this venture in 1986, I was still in my 20’s. I was self serving, arrogant, and had a huge sense of entitlement. Let me tell you how quickly the restaurant business cured those ideals !?!?
I am heartbroken, yet relieved. I am sad, but excited to grow other locations into even stronger entities.
Damn this pandemic and the situation we were put in. Business has been off considerably, but the hardest part being the inability to find staff to hire. Despite paying more than any restaurant I am aware of, no one wants to work. We closed our Winter Park store with a whopping four employees. We were closed two whole days per week as well as two half days. It wasn’t by design, it was simply due to the fact we have no staff and can’t find any. Yes, damn you pandemic and the political machine for making more appealing to not work than to be an active part of the workforce in our country. It’s pathetic. And it has disastrous results.
Thanks to a devoted few Team members, Bubbalou’s is still three locations strong. Our Winter Park Team is moving to our Apopka location. Come see us in Apopka for that same degree of Bodacious Bar-B- Que, and an adult beverage in our Lucky Pig Lounge.
We aren’t leaving, we are just moving…see ya Winter Park !
This is undoubtedly the hardest post I have ever done…
After 35 amazing years, we have locked the doors on Bubbalou’s Winter Park for the final time.
Through those years, I have made friendships with clients that are irreplaceable. I learned more about life, tolerance, grace, dignity ( and sometimes the lack thereof ), and compassion in our little Lee Road Bar-B-Que shanty than you could ever imagine.
Having spent over half my life based out of that location, I literally “grew up” there. When we began this venture in 1986, I was still in my 20’s. I was self serving, arrogant, and had a huge sense of entitlement. Let me tell you how quickly the restaurant business cured those ideals !?!?
I am heartbroken, yet relieved. I am sad, but excited to grow other locations into even stronger entities.
Damn this pandemic and the situation we were put in. Business has been off considerably, but the hardest part being the inability to find staff to hire. Despite paying more than any restaurant I am aware of, no one wants to work. We closed our Winter Park store with a whopping four employees. We were closed two whole days per week as well as two half days. It wasn’t by design, it was simply due to the fact we have no staff and can’t find any. Yes, damn you pandemic and the political machine for making more appealing to not work than to be an active part of the workforce in our country. It’s pathetic. And it has disastrous results.
Thanks to a devoted few Team members, Bubbalou’s is still three locations strong. Our Winter Park Team is moving to our Apopka location. Come see us in Apopka for that same degree of Bodacious Bar-B- Que, and an adult beverage in our Lucky Pig Lounge.
We aren’t leaving, we are just moving…see ya Winter Park !
