Customers dismayed at closing of John’s Family Restaurant

Several other businesses open and close

Ithink the business news that’s gotten the most attention this week is the closing of John’s Family Restaurant, formerly the Omega Restaurant and Bar, 711 E. 32nd St., at the Yuma Airport Inn.

I’ve heard from several employees and customers dismayed at the closing. Rumors are running rampant but I have not been able to confirm them yet, so I will not repeat them until I can get more information.

The restaurant first posted on Facebook that it had closed on Dec. 15, followed by a post saying “closed permanently” on Dec. 17.

On Dec. 21, the restaurant posted “This page will be deleted in 2 weeks. Thank you to the loyal customers and the amazing staff. You will be greatly missed. Look for your favorite waitress hostess or cook on social media to find them. Again I’m so sorry. Have a merry Christmas (sic).”

Owner John Bartzis signed a 15-year lease at the 32nd Street location last year and served American traditional, Greek and Mediterranean and Mexican entrees for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Although he changed the name earlier this year, a Facebook post promised the restaurant would still serve the “same great food, daily specials and service.”

Bartzis also owns the Copper Miner Restaurant, 11375 S. Foothills Blvd., which was still opened when I last checked on Thursday. However, a Facebook post also noted on Dec. 17 that the page would go down in a few days. Word is that employees have kept it running on their own. *** And in related news, the Yuma Airport Inn is also closed. A sign on the door says that the hotel is “temporarily closed” due to “minor repairs” and that it would reopen on Dec. 11. However, I paid a visit to the hotel on Thursday and it was still closed. I called the number on the sign and there was no answer and no voice mail. If I hear anything new, I will keep you posted. *** Another business that has a “temporarily closed” sign on the door is Boost Mobile Premier Store, 1221 W. 16th St., across from Inca Lanes, in the old Olsen Market building. The sign invites customers to visit the store’s other locations in town. It appears the space is being remodeled.

However, around the