Help wanted: Variety of factors at play as small businesses, restaurants struggle to add staff
Small business owners offering increased wages, benefits
Retail staff tough to retain in competitive market
Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
Signs advertising jobs are a common site at businesses that are struggling to staff up during the pandemic.
If you re out and about and noticing Now hiring! signs at every turn, there s a reason: Small businesses are having issues staffing up in the COVID-19 pandemic era.
A combination of extended unemployment benefits, fears about contracting the coronavirus in the workplace and a lack of stability in a variety of industries and has led prospective workers to stay home or pursue a different line of work.
Coriander Kitchen and Farm (Photo: Facebook) Coriander Kitchen and Farm in Detroit s Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood reopened last weekend after two years of renovations at the former Fisherman’s Marina, Crain s Detroit Business reports. The restaurant at 14601 Riverside Blvd. sits on a canal connected to the Detroit River on the city s east side. Opening hours are initially 3:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Owners Alison Heeres and Gwen Meyer ran a catering business for six years under the Coriander Kitchen and Farm name and did seasonal pop-ups at the site before expanding to this venture, Eater Detroit reports. The restaurant uses a 3,200-square foot patio. Inside dining will come later.
After a two-year extensive renovation, the much-anticipated opening of Coriander Kitchen is here. The farm-to-table restaurant in Detroit s canal district opened Saturday. The restaurant is in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood at the former Tommy s and Fisherman s Marina on Riverside and nearby several Detroit parks.
Led by chef Alison Heeres and farmer Gwen Meyer, the restaurant will be open for outdoor dining and carryout only for the time being. Indoor dining will open at a later date. Once the warmer weather arrives restaurant hours will be extended.
Opening day was picture-perfect, with the sun shining amid clear blue skies.
A slight windprovided a chill, but the chill became a nonissue once co-owner Meyer took a blowtorch to the wood in the fire pits. As the wood crackled, fine ash billowed and guests felt the warmth.
Now that an ongoing renovation is complete, canal-side restaurant Coriander Kitchen and Farm is reopening Saturday in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood with outdoor dining and carryout service.
Located just off the Detroit river in a former marina, Coriander is a project from chef Alison Heeres and farmer Gwen Meyer, who cultivates produce from Coriander s farm nearby on Scott street. For now, they ll serve seasonal appetizers, sandwiches, salads, cocktails and more for carryout or to enjoy at an outdoor picnic table. Firepits are available by reservation.
Guests can arrive to Coriander by car, bike or boat.
Coriander was open in 2020 for canal-side outdoor dining. Then, Heeres and Meyer served from their food truck. Now that the building is complete, they have an all-season indoor restaurant with a full kitchen. Indoor dining will be available at a later date.
The Food Events and Restaurants That Detroit Writers Are Looking Forward to in 2021
There are plenty of reasons to be excited going into the new year
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As is tradition at Eater, we closed out 2020 by surveying local food writers and our own staff on various restaurant-related topics, and publishing their responses throughout the week. Next up: What restaurant or restaurant-related (pop-up, etc.) return or debut are you most excited for in 2021?
Serena Maria Daniels, Founder and Editor, Tostada Magazine:
I really hope to see the Holy Mole contest resume next year. I know that planning events has been crazy in 2020 with endless Zoom sessions, but I was heartened to attend some excellent virtual events that involved high production value. I could see this happening with Holy Mole if in-person gathering hasn’t commenced by next fall. There’s got to be a way to shine a light on the many home cooks who participate in the event each year.