Today, Small Bar owner Karen Barnett announced she is permanently closing her University Heights venue. Opened in 2009 by Barnett, her ex-husband Scot Blair and publican Dennis Borlek, Small Bar gained quick popularity for its extensive, varied beer list in a time when hospitality venues, by and large, had yet to fully embrace craft ales and lagers, local or otherwise. Like its sister venue, South Park’s Hamilton’s Tavern, it helped set the standard for the many beer-centric bars that now populate San Diego County.
“We have navigated and survived some challenging times but 2020 proved to be more than our little bar could handle,” says Barnett. “I couldn’t even begin to start a list of people who have helped make this business such a special place. It was like a second home for many and my heart breaks that we won’t have that here again.”
In recent years, increased competition, permitting issues and a variety of other factors made for a roller-coaster existence for Small Bar. The venue was on the brink of going out of business early last year before Trust Restaurant Group (TRG) invested in the business, revamping it from a design and menu standpoint while adding a new cocktail program. Through it all, Barnett maintained control of the beer program. The partnership lasted less than a year, with Barnett severing ties with TRG before 2019 was out.
While crestfallen that she has to shutter a business that meant so much to her, Barnett remains determined to find a silver lining while also making sure patrons aren’t short-changed by the suddenness of the closure.
“Tomorrow, I will be donating our entire kitchen inventory to Charitable Kitchens, who provide meals for the homeless. And this weekend I will be posting fundraising efforts for my staff, which will include Small Bar farewell merchandise and Thanksgiving dinner pre-orders…our last supper,” says Barnett. “For those of you who generously purchased gift cards this year to support us but have not redeemed them, I will be putting together a list of alcohol, art and other items that you can use your gift cards to buy. More details on all of that [will be] coming as soon as possible.”
Barnett adds that the business has not been sold, but she is fielding offers. Interested parties may reach out to her via email.
Small Bar is located at 4628 Park Boulevard in University Heights