21c Museum Hotel co-founder Steve Wilson announced on March 28 that they have made the difficult decision to temporarily close all of their nine properties, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is a day none of us could have imagined a month ago, and although it is heartbreaking in many ways, we know this is the best decision for the health and welfare of our guests, our teams and our communities,” Wilson said in a press release.
“Temporarily closing our properties is the most important thing we can do to help slow the spread of Covid-19.”
The Louisville-based hotel and contemporary art museum opened in 2006 and has since opened locations across the United States, including in Chicago; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee and Cincinnati.
A reopening date has not yet been announced, but the press release noted that as soon as it is safe for them to do so, they will.
Wilson listed many of the things they will miss in the meantime:
- “Our team and all the ways that they go out of their way to make 21c great for our guests and one another. They are the heartbeat of our hotels, museums and restaurants.
- The art, exhibitions and cultural programming. May we never take for granted the things we have the privilege to see and hear. From artist talks to plays, musical performances to poetry readings, the exchange of ideas between our guests and our communities inspires us each day.
- A bustling dining room, our bartenders mixing up cocktails and our chefs in the kitchen doing what they love. Food is a wonderful expression of hospitality.
- The penguins. Need we say more?
- You. We will miss our guests, our community, our partners, our regulars, our first timers. You fill our spaces with joy, laughter, tears, energy, and wonder. Thank you for being part of the 21c community. For sharing your moments, big and small with us, and for reminding us of the strength of the human connection.”
For updates on the temporary closure, follow along on their social media channels, or visit 21cmuseumhotel.com.
This article appears in Best Of Cincinnati 2020 (12098053).