The Blind Pig, a bookstore, wine bar and cafe in Paris, Tex., has closed after being in business for a little over a year.
In late March, after restaurants and bars were barred from offering dine-in service due to the coronavirus pandemic, owner Cristy Burns and manager Chris Meek decided to close temporarily until restrictions were lifted. Although the store is now able to reopen at 25% capacity, Burns realized it would not be enough to recover from the financial toll of being closed for so long, and she decided to close the store.
Burns said the Blind Pig could be considered a "casualty of Covid-19," and as a business barely over a year old she did not have money in reserve to cover operating expenses.
"It is sad and very unfortunate," lamented Burns. "We were a destination. A place to gather and have fun. We served food but people came for the atmosphere."
The store briefly reopened last weekend for a going out of business sale. Books were $1 a piece or $5 for a bag, with most of the store's inventory being purchased by Remember When Collectibles, a locally-owned vintage store located nearby. Burns added that on moving day, the store's regular customers came out and helped her fill the U-Haul free of charge.
"That's how loved the Pig was," she continued. "I still have the dream. My heart goes out to all small business owners. But the Pig made its mark on Paris, Tex., and I think it will not soon be forgotten. And that makes me happy."