Employees of a bar in Mission Beach are trying to figure out what happened to their jobs -- and paychecks -- after owners closed up shop for the holidays and never reopened.
The Sneak Joint bar located at 3844 Mission Blvd. has been closed for about a month with not so much as a peep or explanation from the owners.
Sneak Joint waitress Heather Gonzalez told NBC 7 the bar closed down suddenly, a few days before Christmas. A manager delivered the bad news to the staff.
"[The manager told us] `We're going to close for the holidays and our paychecks aren't going to work. They're going to all bounce,’” explained Gonzalez.
Gonzalez said she enjoyed working there -- that is, until the bar lived up to its name.
Just like that, her check bounced and so did the owners.
“They're just ignoring all of the employees who have worked so hard to make their business successful,” said Gonzales.
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After promising to reopen at the beginning of the year, employees say they haven't heard a word and in addition to the bounced check, most employees are still owed another one.
Gonzalez said the sudden and baffling closure of the bar has been difficult on her financially.
“I had no money. I couldn't pay my landlord rent and I had no choice but to vacate and put in my 30-day notice,” she said.
The Mission Beach bar is owned by Elevated Endeavors, LLC. The company's website says it is a premier corporate strategy and operations firm.
There are no signs on the door saying the business is closed. A look inside and you'll see condiments and menus still on tables, adding to the mystery.
Even the company's Facebook page offers no explanation for the closure, but customers have posted questions like, "Is Sneak Joint ever going to re-open?"
Gonzalez said that’s a question even employees are still asking and, for her, it’s no longer about the money.
“I mean, they need to be exposed I feel like, it's ridiculous. It's really unprofessional and disrespectful,” she added.
NBC 7 emailed, called and sent text message to the owners of Sneak Joint, but received no response.
Some employees told NBC 7 they will now file claims with the labor union.
