With the cold and flu season in full force, it seems complicated to believe the start of the global Covid pandemic is now more than five years in the rearview.
The pandemic impacted economies worldwide, and almost every industry sustained injury, though some more than others. Among the most affected and still struggling to recover are the restaurant/dining and hospitality sectors.
The shutdown here in the U.S. was not uniform, but most major urban and rural markets experienced business losses. Even under normal conditions the failure rate for a new restaurant is typically well above 50 percent in the first year.
As a former hospitality industry worker, I knew at the onset that many of my favorite staple locations and restaurants would need customer support and regulars, and would need to go forward, to remain in business. That first week of the shutdown, I drove to four of my favorites and purchased $100 to $200 gift cards.
There was, of course, no guarantee that each of those locations would stay in operation, but I knew the chances were better if they retained some cash flow. I also pre-tipped some of my favorite wait staff, with both gift cards and cash, as their own employment and income were also about to be paused.
And yet, as wage pressures and other costs have continued to rise, I am mystified each time I see hostile or critical/critical or dazed/confused posts on social media lamenting the closure of another dining establishment. In Metro Atlanta, several closures within Ponce Market Food Hall on the city’s trendy westside, and in popular intown and suburban markets like Atlantic Station, Decatur, and Avalon have commanded headlines and attention.
Athens, in reasonably short order, lost its legendary Varsity, soon followed by the multi-generation family's ‘meat n’ three’ Mayflower, as well as multiple longtime watering holes in Normaltown. As I hear neighbors and influencers complaining about the lack of a Cheesecake Factory on the south side, I have to remind them ...
The Cheesecake Factory in the heart of Buckhead also closed.
At times, ancillary issues had an overly negative impact on locations and markets.
The ever-trendy Virginia-Highlands Atlanta submarket lost the original Taco Mac, as did downtown Decatur. In addition to new owners seemingly having lost a bit of their zest and focus, tight parking and an aging/small kitchen contributed to the decision that costs far outweighed profits, with the tariffs of 2025 impacting the costs of most fresh food products adding insult to injury.
I am happy to say that all of my four favorites remain in business.
Though nostalgia and fond memories don’t fuel cash registers, Grubhub, DoorDash, and the like are convenient for consumers, but they also leave wait staff hanging dry. Without beverages (soft drinks, coffee/tea, or an adult libation), the restaurant loses sales on its most profitable menu items.
Trendy dining halls seem to be suffering the transition from malls to online shopping. Looky-loos, walking and talking, may make an establishment look trendy, but that long, lingering cup of coffee while enjoying the atmosphere and free Wi-Fi is again a drain on resources and typically delivers little to no tip income for the wait staff.
This is actually one of those rare situations where the choices of every household matter.
Make eating out a treat, but reward yourself, as well as your favorites, on a regular and ongoing basis. Recommend your watering holes and favored staff to friends and neighbors. Clipping and using coupons is fine, but try to make up for that by dining more often, bringing along others, and even splitting the check.
Five checks on a 10-top may be a pain, but that is likely 10 more entrees with beverages that night for the house. Post notes or photos of an enjoyable evening on social media or fill out a Yahoo or Google review. Those dining establishments will notice and appreciate you giving them that free support and exposure.
And especially if you had solid meal service, your courses timed out as they should, and the staff didn’t hover too much... tip well. If for no other reason, the staff will remember you. Plus, the karma of taking care of those who routinely take care of others is off the charts.
Check please.
Bon Appétit!