Labor shortage and food prices: Restaurant closes within 30 days of grand opening
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several businesses have had to close their doors and many are still struggling to remain open.
A Vanceboro couple recently learned the hard way the lingering effects of the pandemic.
Clinton and Zena Dawson recently announced they have closed their restaurant, Mary Lee's Kitchen as of Oct. 24.
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The restaurant opened Oct. 1 in Vanceboro at 1925 N.C. 43 in Vanceboro.
The couple cited the effects of the pandemic such as labor shortage and increasing food prices as contributing factors. No further comments were made.
'Everybody is still struggling': Working during a labor shortage in Craven County
Zena Dawson said she and her husband jumped out on faith.
"We gave it a try and things didn't work out the way we planned," said Dawson. "Not knowing so many changes were going to continue to hit us every second of the day, it was a never-ending story."
Greg Collins, owner of Ghent Sandwich Shop at 1914 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., said most businesses are experiences the same issues.
"If you can even get people to show up for the interview they will not show up for the first day of work," said Collins. "The supply chain is just as bad. One week you can get chicken, the next week you can't. It's harder to do business now than it has ever been."
Ghent Sandwich Shop opened in 1947 and serves breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Dinner is offered on Thursday and Friday from 4 to 8 p.m..
According the the N.C. Department of Commerce, 1,542,768 people filed unemployment claims in the state during the period of March 15, 2020 through Sept. 9, 2021.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that currently the unemployment rate for North Carolina is 4.2%.
This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Vanceboro restaurant Mary Lee's Kitchen closes due to labor and inflation
