BEAVERCREEK — Over the past two years, more than 3,000 restaurants have closed in the state, and billions of dollars have been lost, according to the Ohio Restaurant Association.
Michelle Brad, who co-owns Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers Bar and Grill in Beavercreek, managed to remain open but says that she was scared they would shut down for good at some points.
Brad opened CBCB in 2019, just months before the pandemic, and did everything she could to remain in business.
News Center 7 Kayla McDermott asked Brad if two years later she ever thought she would still be dealing with struggles caused by COVID-19.
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“So, I’m optimistic that things are going to get better. I’m trying to think that, okay, in six months it’s going to be okay, but every time I kind of get to that sixth month, it’s still not there,” Brad said.
We spoke with restaurants in our area, and some have told us that to keep their doors open, they had to let go of just about everyone.
Now rehiring has become a major struggle.
Brad said finding people to come into work is still her biggest issue.
“I had 18 people come in and say, yes, I’m going to come in and apply for that job,” Brad continued, “I had one person come in.”
Brad said she put them on the schedule, but they wouldn’t show up.
Now, restaurants are also having to deal with the impacts of inflation.
“How do we continue to buy great products that really serve our customers in an affordable way without having to pass that cost to our customers?” Charlie Carroll, owner of Table 33, asked.
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