A Toronto bar that’s been a community stalwart for the past 54 years has officially closed its doors for good.
While, in the over five decades that it’s been a neighbourhood go-to, Etobicoke’s Sloppy Joe’s hasn’t always borne the same name, one thing about it has remained constant: its status as a local legend.
Originally founded in 1971 “driven by the dream of creating a neighbourhood gathering place that felt like home,” according to a note on Sloppy Joe’s’ website, the business was taken over by its owners sons, Larry and Pete in 1998, when it officially became Sloppy Joe’s.
In the 27 years since then, the bar and restaurant only further continued to cement itself as that very homey neighbourhood watering hole their father dreamt of, hosting regular DJ nights and screening sports games for their Etobicoke neighbours.
It also helped that their wings were, as agreed upon by many, some of the best in the city.
54 years after their father started the family business and 27 years since Larry and Pete took over, though, it’s the end of an era, as the brothers have recently announced the permanent closure of Sloppy Joe’s.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of Sloppy Joe’s, effective Monday, March 3,” they write in a notice posted to Instagram, their website and Facebook. “Due to a confidentiality agreement, we were unable to share this news earlier, but we wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to you all.”
They go on to explain the dream that their father had when opening the business, pointing out that, over the years, that dream has flourished, and Sloppy Joe’s really did become a cornerstone in the community.
“We have always strived to honour his vision, pouring our hearts and souls into continuing what he started,” Larry and Pete write.
Following in their father’s footsteps, watching the business touch members of the community for two generations was “an absolute honour and the privilege of a lifetime,” they write, acknowledging that they feel “truly blessed” to have seen the impact Sloppy Joe’s made on the community over the years.
It’s not all entirely bad news, though, as Larry and Pete also note that they’ve “worked tirelessly” to find the right people to take over the business and carry on their legacy, confirming they’re “confident the new owners will offer you the same warmth and familiarity you have come to know and love.”
At the time of publication, Sloppy Joe’s has not returned blogTO’s request for comment, so, for now, only time will tell what’s next for Sloppy Joe’s and its new owners.
Sloppy Joe’s was formerly located at 3527 Lake Shore Boulevard West.
