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Gaston County businesses desperate for workers
But no one showed up for the job fair.
Without enough workers to cook and serve customers, the popular Belmont eatery cut back on operating hours, said manager Bree McCleary.
“We have had to close three days per week for lunch because of it,” said McCleary. “We have had to close Monday through Wednesday.”
Some have told McCleary they d rather collect enhanced unemployment benefits available from the state and federal government than come to work.
“I’ve had people tell me, I’d rather sit on the couch and make $600 per week, ” said McCleary.
Long lines formed in drive-thru lines at fast food places only tell part of the story.
“We are really on the cusp of burnout,” said Chris Canoutas, owner of Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille. “I can’t find anybody to come and relieve some of the guys we have.”
Canoutas has a staff of 35 people. He needs 10 more.
“We are working through it,” said Canoutas. “I own the place, and I have been working all the time. The managers have been putting in extra hours. We are trying to work through it one day at a time.”
Canoutas turned to Craigslist and Indeed to attract workers. He has even used Facebook by boosting posts to generate more interest.
We can all agree this year has brought challenges like no other. Whether at work or home, COVID-19 has affected us all in some way.
The year also changed the Gaston County restaurant scene. Some spots permanently closed their doors after serving the community for many years.
And many new restaurants embraced the tough business climate and opened despite state and county stay-at-home orders and new, rigorous standards for cleaning and sanitization.
In this story we look back at the restaurants that left us this year, and we celebrate the restaurateurs who brought their concepts to Gaston County in 2020.
If we omitted a restaurant that should be included in this story, email gstewart@gastongazette.com.