Double J: Coronavirus Case Won't Close Essington Road Bar

JOLIET, IL — Two days after Joliet Patch reported that the popular Jameson's Pub on Black Road is temporarily closed because of the coronavirus, another well-known drinking establishment also had an employee test positive for the virus. But unlike Jameson's, the Double J Sports Bar will not be closing.

The Essington Road sports bar will be open on Thursday, owner Jeff Reid announced. He notified Patch that he planned to open around 7 p.m. so that he can continue with cleaning efforts. He said the sick employee has not been at Double J all week.

"Yes one of my employees tested positive for covid. Others are being tested as well," Double J posted on its Facebook page Thursday morning.

Reid went on to inform his sports bar's social media followers that, "we here at J sanitize every day and throughout the day. This information was just passed to me last night. Myself and my daily cleaning people have been here since 4 a.m. doing a deeper clean."

None of the exposed employees have been at the bar since Sunday, Reid said.

"The Will County Health Department said we do not have to close," Reid added on Facebook. "As you all know, I take pride in what we do here. This is why we still only use all plastic cups for drinks also. Some prefer glass, but we will continue to only use disposable plastic (until) further notice."

July has been a challenging month for the Double J, 1001 Essington Road. On July 17, Joliet police officers responded to the bar and arrested 22-year-old Joliet resident Julian Lopez after an armed confrontation in the bar's parking lot.

According to police, Lopez got into a fight at the bar and then pointed a gun at two other people outside the Double J. Nobody was injured, but Lopez was booked into the Will County Jail on multiple felony charges.