A year ago, several local restaurant owners worried they might have to close permanently because of coronavirus restrictions that shuttered their businesses for weeks.
But they survived, thanks to federal relief programs and adaptations like offering “to-go” orders, curbside pickup and delivery.
Now, with the CDC and state and local leaders relaxing mask mandates, they’ve mostly reported business is back on a more normal footing. They like some of the new services, and most want to keep options for delivery and curbside pickup.
Some of those surveyed by the Register, though, say they are facing a new challenge.
Business is back, but they’re struggling to find employees.
“Things have definitely improved. Business has been really good,” Rookies Sports Bar & Grill owner Carri Sailor said. “People are coming in. They feel safer going out and visiting restaurants.”
But Sailor needs to hire multiple positions, and she’s struggling to do so. Last week, she scheduled eight interviews. Only one person showed up.
“It’s very unusual. Since we opened, we always had piles of applications. We’ve never had a problem filling positions. People know this is a fun place to work,” she said.
Sailor said she didn’t know why it was so difficult to find help, and didn’t want to speculate.
Cyndy Masiarczyk, manager at Dudley’s Done Right BBQ, said the biggest problem now is not customer demand. It’s a lack of employees. On a Saturday night in April, she had to close the dining room and offer only “to-go” orders because the restaurant did not have enough staff.
“I hope everybody has patience with the businesses. Everyone is short-staffed right now, not just restaurants,” Masiarczyk said.
“We’re all doing the best we can right now. Be kind to our staff. Be appreciative that we’re still here.”
Pizza Hut, which closed its dining room at the start of the pandemic and offered only pickup or delivery options, has not been able to reopen its dining room because of a lack of staff, manager Gary Young said.
Other area Pizza Huts have reopened dining, but the Iola restaurant doesn’t have the staff to support in-person dining. Once it opens, the dining area’s capacity will be reduced and masks will be required. 
AT AROUND the Corner, a coffee shop on the square, business started picking up around the time the most recent stimulus checks were issued, owner Jessica Quinhones said.
