{"id":110454,"date":"2026-01-23T23:11:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T23:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/110454\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T23:11:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T23:11:09","slug":"after-12-years-js-on-the-bay-to-close-as-its-chef-turns-a-page","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/110454\/","title":{"rendered":"After 12 years, J\u2019s on the Bay to close as its chef turns a page"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.\u2014After 12 years serving the Staten Island community, J\u2019s on the Bay will close its doors next month, owner and chef Joe Salimeni announced in an emotional message shared on social media <\/a>with customers and supporters.<\/p>\n

The Bay Street restaurant in Rosebank, which evolved from a casual daytime spot into a full-service dining destination, is scheduled to close on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

Salimeni said the decision was not driven by failure or a loss of passion, but by the growing difficulty of continuing to operate a business he could no longer fully devote himself to.<\/p>\n

\"J'sA portrait of the late Anthony Bourdain hangs inside J\u2019s on the Bay, a tribute to the influential chef and to the grit and passion that define the restaurant world.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)A difficult decision, not a loss of passion<\/p>\n

\u201dI opened a restaurant in Brooklyn, Terina<\/a>, a year ago achieving a five\u2011star rating on Google\u2014one of the hardest reservations to get\u2014and not giving it my all because I\u2019m distracted,\u201d Salimeni said. \u201cI can\u2019t keep living in two headspaces.\u201d<\/p>\n

While he acknowledged that operating a restaurant on Staten Island has become more challenging in recent years, Salimeni emphasized that outside conditions were only a small part of the decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started the place with nothing but $10,000 and a vision,\u201d Salimeni told the Advance\/SILive.com. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t until COVID that everything really came crumbling down for the area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHas business gotten more difficult in Rosebank and Staten Island in general? Yes\u2014but that\u2019s maybe 10% of why I\u2019m closing,\u201d he added. \u201cI\u2019m operating this restaurant out of passion now, not as a business anymore, and that\u2019s ultimately what made it unsustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like many New York City restaurant owners, Salimeni cited sharply rising costs across the board, particularly labor, utilities and insurance.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the top of the list is overhead\u2014minimum wage, labor, utilities,\u201d he said. \u201cIn just the past year, our utility costs alone went up about 25%. Between Con Edison and National Grid, that\u2019s an extra $1,500 to $3,000 a month.\u201d<\/p>\n

Insurance became another major strain after he was dropped by a longtime provider.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter nearly 12 years with the same insurance company, I was dropped with no explanation,\u201d Salimeni said. \u201cMy new policy costs 25% more than what I was paying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JoeChef and owner Joe Salimeni inside J\u2019s on the Bay in Rosebank when he first opened 12 years ago.Staff-ShotLoving his neighborhood<\/p>\n

Salimeni owns the building that houses the restaurant, a distinction that has helped him weather economic hardships over the past decade.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are two businesses there: the restaurant and the property,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause I\u2019m also the landlord, I\u2019m going to be selective about who comes in. I want a respectable, community\u2011focused business\u2014no smoke shops, no gun shops. There\u2019s enough of those. The space was built to be a restaurant, and that\u2019s what I want it to remain.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a broader discussion about the challenges facing local businesses, Salimeni expressed frustration what he described as prolonged government inaction that left nearby businesses bearing the consequences.<\/p>\n

He pointed to a lengthy NYPD narcotics investigation involving an alleged drug distribution operation in Stapleton, saying the drawn\u2011out timeline took a toll on the surrounding neighborhood and local establishments.<\/p>\n

The case involves Staten Island caterer Ettore Mazzei<\/a>, who has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges<\/a>. One alleged supplier in the case, Kadeem Lewis<\/a> of New Jersey, pleaded recently to a felony drug charge under a plea agreement. Mazzei remains held on Rikers Island as his case proceeds.<\/p>\n

Salimeni said the prolonged investigation<\/a> occurred during a period that saw the loss of nearby businesses<\/a>, including two acclaimed restaurants.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile cases were being built, friends<\/a> of mine lost their businesses<\/a> and hundreds of thousands of dollars,\u201d he said. \u201cBusinesses closed, families lost livelihoods\u2014and only after that did everyone want to have meetings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the closure, Salimeni emphasized that the decision was rooted in business realities\u2014not a loss of love for the industry that has defined most of his adult life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the culinary arts and hospitality are near and dear to my heart and soul, this is purely a business decision,\u201d he wrote on social media.<\/p>\n

Throughout its run, J\u2019s on the Bay remained a deeply personal project for Salimeni. The dining room prominently featured a portrait of the late Anthony Bourdain<\/a>, a lasting symbol of the restaurant\u2019s spirit and creative influence.<\/p>\n

\"\"A flashback image of the Bay Street Luncheonette. From left: Gene Lynch, Donald Patti and waitress Christina Stasolla pour coffee in this vintage Staten Island Advance photo from the archives. staten island advanceLooking ahead<\/p>\n

In his announcement, Salimeni thanked customers, staff and supporters for more than a decade of memories.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach and every one of you have touched me in your own ways for the last 12 years,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThese moments and memories will stay with me for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also paid tribute to past and present staff members, calling their dedication essential to the restaurant\u2019s longevity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe past 12 years would never have been a reality without you,\u201d he wrote. \u201cMy door is always open to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

While J\u2019s on the Bay will soon close, Salimeni made clear that his culinary journey is far from over. He encouraged supporters to continue following his work at @chef_joesalimeni<\/a> and announced plans to launch a full\u2011service catering and event company.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a goodbye,\u201d he wrote. \u201cStay tuned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"J'sThis image was taken at J\u2019s on the Bay in the fall. Owner and chef Joe Salimenii expressed his love for Rosebank and gratitude to the supporters, employees and regulars who helped build the restaurant. He has not lost his passion for the industry as he turns a page in his career.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)