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The Secret Wine Bar, located behind Littenbrod bakery, Lázaro Cárdenas 311, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380, will close on June 10, 2023.
Owners Juan Carlos Carrillo Orozco & Christoph Marthaler opened the bar in November, 2022. After having operated a full season, with their lease coming to end, they made the decision to close and move back to Zurich, Switzerland.
By any measure the bar has been a great success – financially and personally for Carlos and Christoph – but challenges had them reconsider their move. It has been a challenge living and working together 24/7 but challenges with logistics and being able to hire proper staffing lead to the ultimate decision to close.
“We are forever grateful to everyone who has supported us, and all of the many friendships that have come about because of the Secret Wine Bar,” Carlos said. “The support has been amazing, from our clients and from fellow business owners. And we will miss that more than anything.”
What they won’t miss is having their daily lives controlled by running their own business.
“We are very proud of what we have achieved here. We have no regrets. But, you are married to the business,” Christoph said. “And as many small business owners know, it’s difficult to find a balance between the business consuming your life and having time to recharge.”
While it was the first time Christoph had run his own business, it was a dream of his to do so. He said this has helped him fulfill his dream and laid the foundation for future success.
“We have both learned so much about running our own business, marketing, social media, managing people, handling contracts,” Christoph explained. “It has really been a great experience.”
Both owners have a long history of working in the service industry. Carlos helped run a travel agency with his brother some 20 years ago, and helped run some other family owned businesses until he moved to Switzerland in 2017. He then went to work for an international luxury brand.
Christoph has worked all his life in the hospitality industry and wants to return to working in hotels and hospitality.
They will return to Switzerland at the end of June but remain open to the possibilities of continuing their dream in Puerto Vallarta.
“We do love many things about the community here and its people,” Christoph said. “We have made so many new connections and friendships and that makes us sad about leaving.”
“But,” Carlos added, “The door to return is always open.”
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