The owner of the restaurant “Cozy” is Dutch: about dating that ended in marriage and a strange Lithuanian custom

This weekend, the Dominican and St. The restaurant located at the intersection of Ignotos streets is preparing to celebrate its anniversary with a bang, and the owner himself can best tell about its transformations, special community and plans for the celebration.

Bernie, 20 years agothe situation with catering establishments in Vilnius was quite different. What do you remember from those times?

Indeed, the restaurants, bars and cafes were quite different. The seats themselves were fewer, and the perception of both industry representatives and consumers about food quality or service was very different from today. On the other hand, this sector started to change and develop just then. There was a spirit of change and inspiring excitement all around. The market has matured in the last twenty years, but it would be interesting to go back to those interesting times, at least for a while.

Bernie / Personal archive photo.

cozy was the location love at first sight or did the space take time to get used to?

At that time, I lived on Vokiečių street and I walked my dog ​​in this place almost every day. I pointed out the empty premises with an advertisement hanging on the door inviting them to rent. The building didn’t really look attractive from the outside, and some people warned me that the place had a bit of a reputation back in the nineties. However, after about a year of deliberation, I finally decided that I was curious about what was behind the door.

Once inside, I immediately fell in love with the space. It was perfect for what I had been looking for in Vilnius for a while: premises with a cafe-restaurant on the first floor, and a night club in a historical basement below.

How cozy changed in those two decades?

The concept of the restaurant on the first floor is still the same as it was in 2004. It is a warm and welcoming place with unpretentious but delicious food. We call it “your home away from home” for a reason“. Over the years, we’ve regularly updated the interior, but our DNA has never changed.

Bernie / Personal archive photo.

The great evolution took place in the basement. Club “Cozy” eventually became a dance bar, later – “Niño” lounge. Now there is “Baltas Úsas” dedicated to craft drinks. This is a space where we invite you to taste Lithuanian beers or strong ones, to combine them with dishes from the “Cozy” menu. For me personally, it’s a kind of cycle: I came from Holland, introduced the townspeople to Western ideas, and now I have a bar where the greatest attention is paid to Lithuanian craftsmanship.

In what ways did you manage to maintain a circle of regular visitors for so many years?

We actually have visitors who have been with us since the beginning. We feel like one family with them. Others disappeared at one point, but then returned. The third emigrated, but always visit us when they return to their hometown. There are those who used to go to Cozy with their parents as children, and now come with their friends as adults. Heart-warming and love stories – more than one acquaintance took place here, which later ended in a wedding. Of course, there are dear friends who have left us before their time. They will forever be a part of Cozy.

In short, it’s a great feeling to know that we’re not just a bar or a restaurant, but a community. We are proud of it and thank those who are together!

“Cozy team” New 2009 / Personal archive photo.

What is the role of employees in this success story? Some of them have become almost legends.

Of course, the team is very important and we paid a lot of attention to it from day one. We tried to make Cozy a second home for employees and visitors alike. Some of them really became real legends. We still have very warm relations with them. Many of them will come to the anniversary feast, some even from abroad. All that we have achieved during these years would not be possible without them.

Through 20 years in business turbHave you had some difficult days? When was the hardest?

In fact, the biggest challenge was the beginning itself. In the first year of operation, we got into an unpleasant fight with some neighbors. Their complaints resulted in us losing our license three times and unable to work. This battle, which lasted more than three years, cost a lot of nerves and energy, and had financial consequences. We were very close to bankruptcy several times.

Photo of “Cozy” / Personal archive.

By the way, I have never been offered to solve this situation with bribes. This would probably be the fastest and easiest solution. However, I have always been guided by Western moral values ​​and opposed it. Looking back, I am happy and proud that we won the battle with strong belief in ourselves. In the end, it turned out to be a very useful experience, and over the years we managed to reconcile and establish friendly relations with our neighbors.

Do you have a favorite dish on the Cozy menu?

The menu has always reflected what I like. For example, I’ve been eating less meat lately, so the Cozy menu has a lot of vegetarian or vegan options that weren’t there before.

Of course, the signature Caesar salad, the cult cottage cheese or the famous sandwiches with our own baked bread will keep their places on the menu forever.

“Cozy” Interior / Personal archive photo.

Are there any Lithuanian habits that are still surprising in business after so many years?

After 22 years spent in Lithuania, little can surprise. It is true that there is one thing, too many candidates still do not come to the agreed job interviews without warning. People send us their resumes, make an appointment on the phone and… don’t show up. This is done by every third person, sometimes even every second person. The situation changes little with time, I don’t understand it at all.

Share a story you have about Cozy few people know.

As soon as we opened, our kitchen was open until dawn. As a result, we received a lot of people who wanted to finish the fun that started elsewhere, so we became a place of buzz. At one such party we jokingly locked the door and said that those who wanted to join could climb through a small window next to them at a height of almost two meters. To our great surprise, quite a few nightstands got inside that night, they really liked this attraction. Later, it even became a little tradition that we repeated from time to time.

How are you going to celebrate your birthday?

We are planning a big celebration this Saturday. At first, we will have a cozy stay with everyone closest to us, and from 10 p.m. we will be waiting for all the friends of “Cozy”. Both upstairs and downstairs will be played by our former residents, who know exactly what it takes to have a good party here. I have no doubt that it will be an epic night – it will be just like the good old days.

Maybe DJ Berniukas will join the players?

I doubt it, I haven’t played for a long time. Also, I will want to spend as much time as possible with the guests. There will definitely be something to remember and discuss.

Share three tips that would help others be successful in this field for 20 years.

Above all, believe in what you do and do it with great passion. Second, pay attention to the numbers. Understanding the financial reality is necessary if you want to know what is happening in business and where you should improve. Third, be flexible and creative – in this business it is not the strongest who survive, but those who adapt best to the changed circumstances.