Neighborhood hangout, The Garden Bistro in Thornton Park is closing its doors permanently this month

The tranquil oasis that is The Garden Bistro in Thornton Park will soon close its doors permanently, with the owners teasing a comeback in the future.

Home to the popular Sunday Drag Brunch, The Garden Bistro which many of you know as 'Island Time,' has been a tranquil oasis in the city, featuring a backyard garden, complete with lush greenery and a charming fountain for five years, but sadly not for much longer.

The business has announced via social media that June will be their last month in business.

The Garden Bistro which first opened its doors in late 2019, will close its doors permanetly on June 23, with the owners revealing that the buildings landlord has decided not to renew their lease, feeling that the business is "no longer a viable business for this space."

In the post on Facebook announcing the closure, the business owner commented, "I understand that many of you have questions, but I prefer not to air my frustration on social media."

The post continued, "After opening in late 2019, we were gaining momentum when COVID hit. Being small helped, as I was here alone, selling $10 dinners and drinks to people heading to the lake. In late 2020, Trinity the Tuck approached me about starting a Drag Brunch. With travel restrictions and bars unable to host entertainment, it was a great idea. It worked for us because most of our seating was outside, in line with the regulations."

The Drag Brunch grew from once a month to what they are today, with hundreds of entertainers performing at the outdoor brunch over the last few years, bringing energy and life to the neighborhood.

The post continued, "At the beginning of 2023, several things happened. Issues with the Downtown district started, and although we are on the edge of the Downtown district, we had to make changes to our shows. Then, a drunk driver destroyed our parklet seating, forcing us to move our drag shows to the back area, starting our next phase."

"We built a wonderful garden area that became our main dining room and a new venue for the shows. This expansion allowed us to obtain a liquor license and start serving cocktails. We hosted parties, weddings, and many fun events for the neighborhood and community. These past years have proven that adversity breeds innovation and growth. We figured out how to adapt and thrive in changing circumstances."

"While it's unfortunate that we won't realize the full potential of The Garden, that's okay. This is just another step in our journey forward. I am fortunate that most of my employees have been with me for over four years, which is uncommon in this industry. So, this is not goodbye. It’s more like, "Wait and see what crazy things we do next. Thank you for all the love and support over these past five years. We love and cherish you all."

With the announcement of "Wait and see what crazy things we do next." We guess we will just hve to wait ans eee if the venue resurfaces, or if the Drag Brunch finds a new home soon, untik then yiou have until June 23 to experience Island Time at The Garden Bistro!

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