One of Guyana’s best known hangout bars and creole restaurants is getting ready to close down its operations after nearly 23 years in operation.

The Jerries food franchise owned and operated by Guyanese Jerry Bacchus will wrap up business over the next few weeks as the owner has become frustrated and exhausted with maintaining the establishment.

The businessman told News Source on Friday afternoon that he started to see a downturn in business back in 2013 but it was his pride that made him keep the business open.

“I want to make it very clear, emphatically clear that I am not closing down because of any change in government or any curfew or 2 am close down. It has been tough for me since 2013 and so I have decided to move on from this business.”

When Bacchus moves on, his 45 employees will find themselves without a job. He said that has been one of the reasons why he has delayed the decision over the past two years. However, he said during meetings with his staff, he explained the reason for the closure.

“This downturn for me start back in 2013 but now people will make it want to look like is politics and so but its not that.”

He said the recent decision by the Public Security Minister to enforce the 2:00am closure of nightspots law is of little worry to him. According to Bacchus, “I actually support that and once everybody closing same time, I don’t have a problem. I would have had a problem if some close and some still open but once everybody would be closing together at 2, I have no problem with that”.

The businessman explained that over the past few years he made moves to refinance the business but one commercial bank did not approve his application and he came away feeling as if “money launderers get through more at these places than the hard working and honest businessman”.

Mr. Bacchus said that while some might want to encourage him to hold on some more and see if there is going to be an improvement for his business under the new government, he does not intend to wait around for that since he is tired and prepared to try other ventures in other parts of the country.

The food and beverage establishment had opened a number of smaller branches but some of those were forced to close their doors because of competition. The main branch is now located on Waterloo Street and has served as a hub for late night party goers and the after party crowd.

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