Union Jack’s owner blames sudden closure on restrictions

The owner of Union Jack’s Annapolis, a mainstay of the local music scene, is blaming his decision to close suddenly on coronavirus restrictions in Anne Arundel County.

Company president Gary Ouelette said Tuesday morning through a spokesperson that restrictions on audience capacity for live shows, dining capacity and early closing times put in place by the county to slow the spread of the coronavirus hurt the business.

“It’s just too difficult to continue in Anne Arundel,” he said through a spokesperson.

The British-styled pub announced Monday night on Facebook that it would close immediately. The Columbia location remains open.

The announcement came just days after Anne Arundel County relaxed coronavirus rules that have prevented indoor music performances since March. Restaurants and indoor performance venues are allowed to seat at 50% of capacity, masks are required inside and closing times are mandated at 10 p.m.

County Executive Steuart Pittman last week rejected a call by the County Council to relax the restriction on hours, saying the rate of infection and connections between bars and infection made it to much of a risk to public health.

In a statement released by his office, the county executive said Union Jack’s closed two of its locations in other counties but he had hoped the one in Annapolis would remain open.

“While we’re disappointed when any county business closes, I’m especially concerned about employees, particularly during this challenging economy, I encourage laid-off employees to contact Anne Arundel Workforce Development for assistance as they seek their next employment opportunity,” he said.

Anne Arundel County has continued to be stricter than many other jurisdictions in Maryland, citing one of the state’s highest rates of infection for the virus. More than 10,000 county residents have had confirmed cases of COVID-19, and there have been at least 236 deaths.

The spokesperson for Union Jack’s declined to comment on any financial consequences of the sudden closure.

The Annapolis location is located in the Annapolis Towne Centre, which is managed by Trademark Property Co., a real estate firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. It took over management of the mixed-use development in 2018.

A spokesperson for Trademark Property declined to comment on the departure of the pub. Other restaurants to close recently included Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar in the town center and Sunset Restaurant& Lounge in Glen Burnie.

Union Jack’s opened in the former Wild Willy’s location in 2012, an expansion by the Columbia-based regional chain. A Bethesda location closed in 2016 and the Gaithersburg pub shut down in June after a similarly brief announcement.

Over the years, the business was a location for concerts, meetings, televised sporting events and even, for a brief time, an annual competition among high school bands. In 2016, it hosted a viewing party for the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

The main area had about 20 high-top tables with a full bar along the back wall. To the left was a stage for live bands, a small dining room with booths and a second full bar. To the right were several billiard tables and another dining area.

Outdoor tables expanded the dining area. It had 50 full and part-time employees. It was the concerts, however, that defined Union Jack’s identity. Regional groups from the Pasadena Band to the Piranhas mixed with concert fundraisers and DJs.

“We want to thank all our patrons over the last several years for your support. We close the doors with a very heavy heart!” the business posted on its Facebook page.