Ep 15. Sour Lemons And Bitter Business

In the fifteenth episode of Bar Rescue's sixth season, titled "Sour Lemons And Bitter Business," Jon Taffer and his team head to Norwalk, California to help a struggling bar named Lemon C's. The bar was opened by a couple, Celina and Chris, who had no prior experience in the bar industry but wanted to fulfill their dream of owning a bar. However, they soon found themselves drowning in debt and unable to attract customers.

Upon arriving at Lemon C's, Jon is greeted with a sour smell coming from the bar's walk-in refrigerator. He discovers that the bar has been serving spoiled fruit and vegetables to customers, which is just one of many problems that Jon needs to address. Celina and Chris seem to be out of their depth, with Celina running the front-of-house with no clear system in place, and Chris running the kitchen with unappetizing food and unskilled cooks.

Jon starts by sending his recon team into the bar to see how it operates in its current state. They report back with observations of the dirty floors, disorganized bar, and unprofessional behavior from the staff. One bartender is seen drinking on the job, while another is caught texting instead of attending to customers.

Jon sits down with Celina and Chris to discuss the state of their business. He points out their lack of experience and knowledge regarding the bar industry, and suggests that they seek out some basic training courses. Jon also advises them to focus on their cash flow, develop a brand, and create systems to streamline their operations.

The next day, Jon brings in his expert mixologist, Lisamarie Joyce, to teach the staff how to make fresh, delicious cocktails using quality ingredients. They also work on improving the bar's food menu by introducing new dishes and training the kitchen staff on proper cooking techniques.

As part of his renovation plan, Jon brings in a refrigeration specialist to fix the walk-in refrigerator and ensures that it is cleaned and organized. The bar area is also given a facelift with new lighting, furniture, and a redesigned bar layout to improve the flow of customers and staff.

After the renovation, Jon reopens the bar under a new name, "C's By The Sea," and invites members of the local community to come and see the changes. The customers are impressed with the revamped bar, enjoying the new drinks and food offerings.

Towards the end of the episode, Jon sits down with Celina and Chris to review the progress they have made since the bar's transformation. They report a noticeable increase in revenue and a more efficient operation, with clear systems in place for staff and customers. Jon reminds them of the importance of continuing to improve and adapt to the ever-changing bar industry.

In "Sour Lemons And Bitter Business," Jon takes on the challenge of turning around a struggling bar and teaches its inexperienced owners the fundamentals of running a successful business. With his unique insight and expertise, he transforms Lemon C's into a vibrant and profitable bar, providing an inspiring example of how hard work and determination can lead to success in the hospitality industry.