Restaurant Industry Pressures

Rising Economic Pressures Trigger a Wave of Restaurant Closures Across North America

Edmonton’s Island Brew Coffee House will close after building a Caribbean-inspired community hub; other recent Edmonton closures include BeaverTails on Whyte Avenue, Little DON’YA’s downtown location, The Moth Cafe and Nuttea. Toronto’s Hogtown Vegan says it may not survive restaurant-industry financial pressures, while La Cubana has closed its final Toronto location at The Well after shutting its Roncesvalles and Ossington sites, citing inflation, high food and operating costs, taxes, insurance and other pressures. In Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Jimmy’s Tavern & Grill, which opened in 2011, is scheduled to close Oct. 4, with no reason disclosed. Green Bay’s Captain Jack’s at Louie’s Lagoon will end service Sept. 30, though its owners hinted they may reopen elsewhere, and South Windsor’s Lena’s Restaurant & Bar, open since 1982, cited kitchen staffing challenges before its Sept. 26 closure. San Francisco family-run Corsagna Deli will serve its final sandwiches Oct. 2 after 46 years; its manager lamented the shift toward trendy dining. St. Joseph’s The Ribcage BBQ said economic conditions, rising goods costs and restaurant trends led to its closure after five years.

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