Today marks the last day in The Register’s series on local restaurants.
Stories told by the owners paint an interesting picture of what local businesses struggle with on a day-to-day basis. Throughout the area, the economy has hit small businesses hard and maybe just now they are rising to what they could be.
That doesn’t mean their problems are over, however.
Both B&B Cafe and Coronado’s have issues finding reliable help in our community, as well as how to cope with limited space and tight budgets that hamper their needs to expand.
Dudley’s Done Right BBQ showed the face of a new food service that has had to deal head-on with economic shortfalls and adapt to keep its head above water. Its dreams of a bona fide restaurant have been postponed time and again.
Newer businesses like Corleone’s have to fight to garner an identity in a community where people favor familiarity.
And the older restaurants, like King’s Sandwich Shop, feel they must constantly stay focused on customer satisfaction to keep up with new competitors.
The tax numbers gathered from the city show that restaurants’ income can jump or plummet on a monthly basis, and owners must be able to adapt accordingly.
But, if these features say anything, it’s that our local restaurateurs are working harder than ever, and they are beginning to succeed.
The same businesses that were struggling in the economy are looking for new ways to expand, and bring in new help. They are dealing with a heavy amount of customers and finding new ways to get them in their door.
(The Register was not able to contact managers with El Charro, El Pueblito, China Palace and The Greenery.)
Series draws to an end
