Restaurant closing: Beloved Edgewater restaurant permanently closes doors
La Familia Latin Cuisine Restaurant, located at 2120 S. Ridgewood Ave., unit 8, in Edgewater, announced on social media over the weekend that it was making the difficult decision to permanently shut down.
After celebrating its grand opening with the Southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce last March during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, now, a year later, the restaurant has closed its doors, attributing the closure to a number of internal challenges.
“Like many long-standing and reputable restaurants recently, this decision comes from many factors,” the Facebook post began. “Failed partnerships, rising costs, strict rules prohibiting proper advertising of our location are just a few to mention.”
The closure leaves many of the restaurant’s loyal customers both shocked and deeply disheartened, with several taking to social media to express their sympathy for the eatery's owners and staff.
“I’m so sorry, very shocking to read this everyone LOVED the restaurant!! Ugh I wish I would have done something to help,” one user commented, with another stating, “We have lost another excellent family restaurant, so sad. The food, service and hospitality was the best! Good luck on your next adventure. Our loss.”
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The family-owned eatery was frequented for its unwavering hospitality, vibrant atmosphere with live entertainment, and indulgent selection of authentic Latin cuisine, boasting a lengthy menu of freshly prepared, boldly flavored and generously portioned plates.
The Puerto Rican restaurant assured its followers online that the decision to close, though incredibly difficult, does not negate the outpouring of love, support and kindness that the eatery has received during its time in Edgewater, further noting that the restaurant’s staff has been provided alternate employment opportunities and looks forward to what the future may hold.
“Our staff has been aware throughout the entire journey and has held our hand at every 'what if' and was a huge part of every single decision that has been made … . They have all been provided with new employment by trusted friends in the community and are being well taken care of,” the same post read.
“We are a family and we are proud that you all embraced us and returned the love that we gave! We felt it everyday and our hearts may be broken but they ARE FULL BECAUSE OF YOU!”
Harder than ever before: Navigating the restaurant industry 2024
The news of another beloved restaurant closure further reaffirms the harsh reality small business owners face in the 2024 restaurant climate. In the last six months alone, Volusia-Flagler has experienced more than a dozen restaurant closures, from family-owned pizza shops to seafood restaurants, breakfast spots and everything in between.
According to a 2024 State of the Restaurant Industry Report published by the National Restaurant Association, which compiles forecasts from the association’s economists with data from restaurant operators and consumers nationwide, “98% of operators say higher labor costs are an issue for their restaurant. Ninety-seven percent cite higher food costs. Thirty-eight percent say their restaurants were not profitable last year.”
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A recent TouchBistro report, titled “The State of Restaurants in 2024,” compiled nationwide data from more than 600 full-service restaurant owners, as well as CEOs and general and area managers, and found a number of industry trends and 2024 predictions as restaurants across the country continue to adapt to a post-COVID world.
According to the report, “58% said inventory costs were their biggest source of financial strain ... 82% of restaurateurs report being short-staffed” and “to offset rising food costs, 67% of operators reported increasing their menu prices in the past six months. On average, restaurateurs reported increasing their prices by 13%.”
Between March 2021 and March 2022, more than 800,000 small businesses were forced to close their doors, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. And while many small businesses continue to open daily, it has become increasingly difficult for restaurant owners to acclimate to the industry’s current economic climate, with many struggling to meet unprecedented pricing and staffing — among other — challenges of business owning in 2024.
La Familia Latin Cuisine: A heartfelt thank you and goodbye
After the closing “as a family” over the weekend, La Familia Latin Cuisine’s March 30 Facebook post went on to commemorate the success found, relationships fostered and memories made over the last year in Volusia County.
“There was NO FAILURE HERE, everyone who has been a part of La Familia … whether we coexist still or not … has been part of history … in that we brought something to Edgewater that has never been done and we did it impeccably and with love and compassion, class and respect. Our reviews speak volumes!!!!” the post read.
“Please respect the work that we have done and continue to speak about us the way you have throughout this journey. We deserve it.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: La Familia Latin Cuisine permanently closes Edgewater restaurant
