Goodwill abounds in town: The Union-Bulletin explores good news of 2020 in the Walla Walla Valley (Part 3) union-bulletin.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from union-bulletin.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The latest round of restaurant restrictions have proven too much for one small Richland business.
Kagen Coffee & Crepes in the Uptown Shopping Center is closing its doors â at least for now. Owner Kagen Cox said they will reevaluate next month.
âWe donât have the ability or resources for big tent dining,â Cox told the Herald.
âBecause we are a destination location, our sales are down nearly 80 percent, but our food costs â food also being disposables and to go containers â have tripled,â he said.
Heâs not alone in the struggle.
In Benton and Franklin counties, 40 restaurants have permanently closed since March, according to the Washington Hospitality Association.
COVID-19 Sends McMenamins to the Brink; Company Pleads for Easing of Dining Restrictions chronline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chronline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
KXLY
December 14, 2020 6:18 PM Ariana Lake
Updated:
The group represents more than 6,000 members of the hotel, restaurant and hospitality industry. In a press conference last week, CEO Anthony Anton said they believe one in four restaurants closed within the first six months of the pandemic. They know of at least 121 restaurant closures in Spokane County during that time. They fear that number is much higher and will continue to increase as regulations last into the new year.
Indoor dining is prohibited in Washington until at least early January, per Governor Jay Inslee’s orders.
Eateries still holding on have had to get creative to pay their bills. Kristi Heaton feels like one of the lucky ones because her restaurant, Mamma Mia’s, serves Italian food, which travels well for to-go meals. Still, she had to announce massive layoffs and rethink how to get her food into the hands of hungry customers around Spokane.