East Windsor sports bar closing after 16 years

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:00]After 16 years, a long-time Riverside sports bar is closing its doors tonight.

[00:00:05]Average Joe's is the latest local business to face tough economic realities. The owner says a series of ongoing challenges led to the difficult decision. CTV's Chris Campbell joins us now from the bar tonight. Chris.

[00:00:20]Yes, Stephanie. For many in Windsor, Average Joe's was more than just a sports bar. For 16 years, it became a gathering place for wing night, live music, fundraisers, and celebrations.

[00:00:30]But after what the owner describes as years of mounting challenges, the business is now preparing to press pause.

[00:00:40]We've been knocked down so many times, and we keep getting back up. The construction has just been a different beast.

[00:00:47]>> Owner of Average Joe's, Colleen Kelly, says they faced a series of difficult chapters, including the pandemic, a devastating fire, a mandatory shutdown, and ongoing construction surrounding the property. Despite the challenges, the business was much more than just a sports bar. Our regulars are our family.

[00:01:03]Our staff is our family. Employees say that feeling is what made Average Joe's special. We're all family, so we're all here for each other all the time.

[00:01:11]Colleen takes great care of her staff, and it's the best place I've ever worked.

[00:01:15]>> Customers packed the sports bar Tuesday for one final celebration.

[00:01:18]>> It felt uh it felt like a big loss, honestly. It almost felt like there was a death in the family. Others say the loss will be felt far beyond the restaurant industry. Devastating.

[00:01:28]We've worked to probably six, seven years uh with Colleen on our various uh Optimist events.

[00:01:36]Raise money here.

[00:01:38]Let the kids come free.

[00:01:40]So, it's looking for a new new location that we can continue our work in supporting Colleen. The closure also comes at a time when many restaurants across Canada continue struggling financially. Today, we're at about 36% of restaurant companies are saying uh they're just not profitable. Restaurants Canada says rising operating costs combined with consumer spending less are putting enormous pressure on the industry. Chris Barney says profit margins for Ontario restaurants remain among the tightest in the country.

[00:02:14]There's a lot of restaurants that are really struggling to hold on and to protect jobs.

[00:02:18]>> For some stopping by Tuesday, the closure feels personal.

[00:02:22]>> I've been to memorials, I've been to celebrations, I've been to corn hole tournaments, I have been to Super Bowl parties, I have been here just with friends to have a good time and I think this is going to be a great loss for Riverside and for Windsor. And while this chapter is ending, ownership says they hope Average Joe's may one day return in a new form.

[00:02:40]>> Something will be happening again eventually. We just have to pause.

[00:02:45]I don't think I've taken a day off in 16 years, so really looking forward to that. And just to take a breath and refresh, restart, renew.

[00:02:56]For many here tonight it's less about saying goodbye and more about celebrating the community that kept Average Joe's going for 16 years. The final day of operations here goes until about 9:00 p.m. this evening with Average Joe's inviting customers to come out, stop by, share some memories, and help close out what they call an unforgettable 16-year run.

[00:03:16]Stephanie.

[00:03:18]And there's still time to do that tonight. Okay, Chris Campbell, thank you.