'It's just scary' | Restaurant industry in Louisville takes note as long-time businesses close | Business

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Another long-time Louisville restaurant has closed down, and other businesses are taking note.

After more than two decades, The Come Back Inn in the Germantown neighborhood announced on social media Tuesday that it was shutting its doors. The staff fed its last customers hours later.

The post said, "Guys, we hate to do this, but tonight will be the last night of dinner service for the Come Back Inn. You all gave us so many great years. We appreciate each and everyone one of you all ❤"

The restaurant industry in Louisville and elsewhere is struggling with many issues.

"A lot of people think the pandemic's over so everything is going to get back to normal," but Jared Matthews with Osteria Italian Seafood Restaurant said it's not.

For the business and its staff, the hits haven't stopped. Inflation and labor shortages are both taking major tolls.

"On a Friday night, 30 people working, if that dishwasher doesn't show up, that effects the whole service. It's tough to get good people, it's tough to keep good people," Matthews said.

Matthews continued adding, "The hard part about the cost of food going up and labor going up is we are all trying to give fair prices to our guests. I think we all want to do that, we want to make it reasonable, nobody wants to feel like they're getting ripped off. I think the obstacle of trying to do that but maintain and stay in business is getting tough."

With more challenges, come more closures.

Just two days before the Come Back Inn announced it would close for good, it had posted about closing for the day because of staffing shortages. Diners on Tuesday night, packed tables for the last time to enjoy the pasta, pizza and subs.

"I've been going to that place for years. It's a staple in Louisville and to see that close, it's heartbreaking," Matthews said. "I know the challenges that she was facing."

Matthews' first job in the food industry was at a Dairy Queen when he was 16. Now, the restaurant owner has a stake in LuLu on Market, LuLu in St. Matthews, Black Rabbit, Fox Den and most recently opened Osteria in Westport Village just last week.

"I've never looked at multiple restaurants as competition. I've always looked at it as, 'this is our service industry.' We are in Louisville, Kentucky, which is now becoming a major foodie town, which is awesome."

Matthews said over the years he has learned the key to surviving as a business is adapting. For him, closures like the Come Back Inn are a sobering reminder of how quickly a packed house -- can turn into the last supper.

"To see a staple close down in our community, it's very heartbreaking. They've been able to maintain all these years in business and now they're at their breaking point, and they just can't do it. It's just scary."

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