It's no secret that owning and running a restaurant is hard work and an obvious labor of love

I once read somewhere that opening a new restaurant is a risky business, the first year is always the toughest. We have all seen here in Bismarck lately a taste of reality - a lack of employees being one of the main reasons that several successful places have had to come to the decision to close their doors for good. These were restaurants that had gone way past that "crucial one-year" mark. Another sad trend is seeing posts through social media from owners and managers - honest feelings and sentiments to all the customers that were so faithful to their business.

Words of optimism and hope

Last August the unfortunate news that Noodlezip owner Marty Lee posted on his restaurant's Facebook page that they were closing - due to the dreaded lack of staff - he had hoped to re-open last month. Well now GREAT news, Lee had some encouraging words yesterday - but also some news of just how difficult it really is to keep a restaurant open these days. Here is a part of what he had to say:

"Starting October, 6th, 2022, I will resume the business for a newer style of business. Due to ongoing hardship to get quality help and other financial issues with the restaurant, food will be served on disposable plates and cups, and orders will be paid first at the entrance, also, customers will mostly self-service, for condiments and drinks" 

I think most of us can easily make do with his upcoming newer style

Here is what impressed me the most about what he wrote in October - he was 100% honest when he made it plain and simple that this is indeed going to be a challenge:

"I honestly do not know if I can sustain business this way and have it operate long to have many more years to come, but the reality is not the same as hope, and I experienced it during this peak moment of labor shortage and rising prices on everything...I will serve my guests as much and long as possible...

This is just another example of hard-working local restaurant owners making adjustments

It is coming commonplace now that some businesses are changing their hours of operation - simply by closing an extra day of the week. Doing their absolute best to continue to take care of their customers while extremely shorthanded.


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