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Triangle restaurants face two storms: COVID, snow

The local restaurant industry is now battling two storms. The latest wave of Omicron has hurt businesses, strained staff and impacted sales.

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By
Lora Lavigne
, WRAL reporter
DURHAM, N.C. — The local restaurant industry is now battling two storms. The latest wave of Omicron has hurt businesses, strained staff and impacted sales.

Now a second winter storm, in less than a week, is forcing many places to close for days.

Durham small business owners met with local officials Friday to discuss they challenges they’re facing.

Bull City Solera is normally open until 8 p.m., but on Friday they prepared to close early due to the weather. With closing on Saturday a possibility too, the restaurant is having to deal with a tough situation.

“We all love a good snow day when it happens, but for restaurants we wish it was a Monday. Not a Friday night or Saturday. That just kills us,” Bull City Solera owner Seth Gross said. “That is our bread and butter and if you have a couple of bad weekends in January you basically lose the entire month as far as any chance have any profitability."

Gross runs three successful restaurants in Durham, Bull City Burger and Brewery and Pompieri Pizza.

Bull City Solera had just reopened its indoor dining in early December, after being closed due to COVID-19 concerns.

The latest wave of Omicron has also really depleted consumer confidence in the industry, Gross said.

“I know some restaurants are beginning to lay off people that they really don’t want to and people want to work, but if you don’t have customers you have to make these hard choices,” he said.

Durham Councilman Leonardo Williams, who co-owners Zweli’s Kitchen, echoes those sentiments.

“Our labor cost is the same. Our food cost has gone up. Our rent and utilities cost is still the same. And our revenue has dropped 60% at least if not more,” Williams said.

Williams gathered people from the local restaurant industry, economic leaders and the health department to discuss how to get beyond this rough patch.

“Reviving 'Back on the Bull,' reviving programs such as 'The Streetery,' you know, we have to get our economy woken back up,” he added, emphasizing the Bull City has done its part in vaccinations, masking and learning how to live safely amid the pandemic.

“Let’s get the city going again. Let’s get the community thriving again. That’s really what it’s all about,” Gross said. “Durham was amazing. Durham came together as a community to support restaurants during the crisis, the pandemic, just amazing protecting each other, and is really doing a great job."

“As a restaurant owner I’m saying, 'Please help us.' As a councilman, I’m saying, 'Community, it’s time to get back up. It’s time to wake up and get back out to support our local business community,'” said Williams.

Elected officials are expected to meet with local business owners next week to discuss their experiences and best steps forward.

Health leaders are predicting a decline in cases within the next few weeks. If you’re hesitant about dining, you can also support local by ordering online and to-go.

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