Johnn Johnn’s shuts doors due to growing crime concerns

“It’s not a way to live”: A popular Darwin CBD gelateria business has shut its doors to “ensure the safety of our staff” after multiple terrifying incidents of anti-social behaviour at the business.

Johnn Johnn’s owner Johnn Koenig has shut his doors to protect his staff after multiple incidents of crime surrounding the store. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A popular Darwin CBD gelateria has shut its doors following multiple incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime in the surrounding area.

Johnn Johnn’s, known for its plentiful gelato flavours announced on its social media pages on Tuesday morning that the shop was closing “to ensure the safety of our staff”.

Owner Johnn Koenig posted a three minute video saying repeated incidents had prompted the closure, including one in which he claimed he was threatened with a knife.

Mr Koenig said an incident took place on Friday where an individual allegedly assaulted five to six people, before advancing on him.

The man allegedly went to shake his hand to which Mr Koenig replied “I don’t want to shake your hand mate, you’ve just been fighting”.

The man turned around and then allegedly said “I’ve got a f---ing knife and I’m going to kill you” as he advanced on the shop owner.

Mr Koenig said he pushed the man back in self-defence.

Johnn Johnn’s owner Johnn Koenig has shut his doors to protect his staff after multiple incidents of crime surrounding the store. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

He said further incidents included a brawl on Saturday which left customers in fear and stuck inside the shop with staff.

Mr Koenig said he would be installing further safety measures such as duress alarms before reopening his store, which is situated besides Tamarind Park.

“I’ve called the council and told them something needs to be done with this park, it’s a known issue and every year everyone complains about it,” he said.

“We need to look at putting procedures in place to protect staff, the alarms will help a lot, but we’re in here but what about the customers outside?”

Since the incident his anxiety levels have been through the roof, and he’s been on a constant look out for the man who allegedly threatened him.

“I was at work constantly looking around making sure I was safe and everyone around me was safe,” he said.

“It’s not a way to live. That’s why I’ve made the decision to close the shop because it feels to me and looks like this [crime] is out of control again.

“I don’t want on my conscience my staff members or myself come to work and don’t get to go home.

“I’ve got a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old who work with us, the last thing I want is they come to work and don’t get to go home to their parents.

“I’ve got so much to lose, I’ve got friends, family, workers, I’m over it, we’re all over it, everyone has to go to work and should be able to go to work safely.”

Johnn Johnn’s owner Johnn Koenig has shut his doors to protect his staff after multiple incidents of crime surrounding the store. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

As Mr Koenig went to install signs at the shop saying it had been closed, the man who allegedly threatened to take his life was there.

“I’ve had to go to the police station, told them the situation and they’ve escorted me to the shop while he waits outside,” he said.

“This might be paranoia, maybe not, but I’m not going to take the risk to find out if this man and his friends are going to kill me.

“My anxiety and stress levels are through the roof and we, the people, need to be protected.”

The establishment closed due to similar crime fears almost exactly a year ago on April 27, 2023.

Mr Koenig said the growing crime was only adding to issues faced by retailers across Darwin, and the whole Territory.

“The retailers have had our worse three months ever, most businesses have made losses and then you add the crime,” he said.

“If you’ve come to Darwin for the laid-back lifestyle and to feel safe, you can move to a bigger city where the cost of living issues are the same, but you can at least go and watch footy or a concert.”