Cafe de JarGor, known as “Big Brother Jar” in social media, has announced the closure of all its branches in Hong Kong. The Kowloon Bay branch will operate until June 12, while the Telford branch will remain open until July 8. The farewell message expressed gratitude for the journey shared with customers, stating, “Though we are reluctant to part ways, we must bid farewell in the end.”
The “JarGor” brand has stood in Hong Kong for a decade, founded by former Miss Hong Kong champion Tam Siu-Wan and her husband Choi Keung Wing. The announcement made on social media today (29th) stated that all branches in Hong Kong will be closing down, bringing their ten years of business to an end. The Kowloon Bay branch will cease operations on June 12, while the Telford branch will close on July 8. The post did not disclose the reason for the closure, only expressing sentiments of gratitude for the shared experiences over the past ten years, saying, “Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, ten years have passed! Though we are reluctant to part ways, we must bid goodbye!” The message concluded with, “People of Hong Kong! Take care, until we meet again.”
Following the news of “JarGor” closing down, many internet users expressed their sadness and regret, writing messages like, “Take care, cherish the memories,” “Thank you for the years of dedication from JarGor and Siu-Wan, wishing both good health! Stay safe for life!” “The taste and warmth will forever remain in our hearts,” “Over the years there were many changes, the most heartbreaking are these recent years, Hong Kong is no longer the place I knew, people of Hong Kong take care,” “I don’t know where to have breakfast anymore,” “Your efforts and dedication are in our hearts, many things do not need to be forced, keep going.” Some internet users suggested, “Open a smaller branch,” to which Cafe de JarGor responded with, “Sadly, it’s beyond…”; and some users left messages saying, “See you in Canada.”
Founded in 2014, Cafe de JarGor started as a fish ball shop and expanded its business throughout Hong Kong and Kowloon. It opened branches in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Quarry Bay, and Mong Kok. However, the franchise in Mong Kok closed after operating for nine months, with Tam Siu-Wan mentioning expensive rent and lower-than-expected business during the summer as reasons for its closure.
Subsequently, Cafe de JarGor ventured into the tea restaurant business and received multiple investments from Mak’s Noodle in Kwai Chung starting in 2018, but disputes over the repurchase of shares between the two companies arose in 2022. In March of this year, Cafe de JarGor filed a lawsuit in the District Court against a subsidiary of Mak’s Noodle registered overseas for failing to pay the agreed-upon amount of 980,000 Hong Kong dollars according to the November 2019 agreement, deciding to pursue legal action to recover the sum with interest.
In February of this year, the restaurant in Kowloon Bay owned by Cafe de JarGor was served with a notice of unpaid rent by the landlord, who also applied for a closure order. At that time, Choi Keung Wing admitted that the business had not been profitable for the past two years, stating, “We’ve been enduring for a long time, but we have been persevering, hoping to survive one month at a time.”