Elbistro hotel and restaurant will close its doors at the end of this week after 20 years of service due to the effects of COVID-19. The establishment is one of the most iconic businesses within our city because of the quality food it offers. George Gilbert, the manager of Elbistro, expressed his grief and disappointment:
“It has been a pleasure serving every customer who came to our hotel. Unfortunately, we have decided to close for good due to the pandemic. We have reduced the staff because of closures and health regulations and asked the government for assistance, but these measures have not helped the situation. Elbistro will officially close down next week, Friday 11th, and that brings me down”.
The news was not received well by the residents and the staff, who are sad to see the restaurant close down. Since the restaurant opened, it has won over the hearts of the people of Bayside with its variety of noodles and fresh vegetables. Most items used in their recipes are sourced locally from the farmers, while noodles are made in-house. Despite its popularity, Elbistro could not survive, as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps hitting independent restaurants hard.
Gilbert notes: “The coronavirus pandemic has been tough on the restaurant industry due to the lockdown measures. It has been problematic for us to operate at full capacity because we had to consider the protocols of social distancing. The situation forced us to sack some employees, which was a heartbreaking thing to do”. He is not alone: by December 2020, about 110,000 establishments have shut down across the U.S.
The Queens neighborhood has high rents for small spaces, which may derail any business, especially when facing a pandemic. Gilbert explains the problem: “We have been paying high rent prices because of the area we are set up. It was not hard because we were making money and business was good. In the past year, the number of customers has decreased by over 70% due to restrictions and a preference for ‘take away’”. Carry-out and delivery restaurants have capitalized on the pandemic-created trend, pushing establishments like Elbistro out of business.
Gilbert, a native of Queens, worked at the hotel since he was a little child as his family owns the restaurant. His grandfather set up the hotel when he came into the country as an immigrant. His noodle recipes are still in use in the establishment, with only a few additions to some recipes.
The locals are feeling sadness: Myles Renard, a resident of Queens for 15 years, said that the loss of Elbistro is a great blow to the whole community, and it would be hard to imagine Queens without it. He adds: “I have been enjoying their ramen and roasted pork at least two times a week. It is hard to believe that Elbistro is gone”.
According to Gilbert, the restaurant has seen how Queens grew into a vibrant neighborhood, so it hurts him to shut down because of the bond created with the community members. He welcomed Elbistro’s loyal fans to come and enjoy the last bowls of delicious noodles. It promises to be a gloomy last week at Elbistro as staff say their goodbyes to clients.
The closure of various businesses has led to the loss of employment for many people around the world. The shutdown of Elbistro has increased the unemployment rate within the area, which has led to some of the residents sounding an alarm. Renard expresses his concerns:
“I am worried because people are losing their jobs. This may increase the number of violent robberies within the area as people search for ways to make ends meet”. He also added that the residents of Queens are afraid that the pandemic may undo recent gains of the community. The researches show that Renard’s feelings about the link between crime and unemployment are reasonable.
People can access unemployment benefits from the state, which may not be enough when they have mortgages to pay. “We are lucky to have access to unemployment benefits which help in times like this. Most people will be able to buy food and pay bills which is better than nothing. Also, as a community, we have come up with a program to help the most affected people in our community by offering them food and other basic needs,” Renard outlines.
Vincenzo Portilla, a staff member at Elbistro, said that he had already started a side job where he bakes cakes and sells them to customers. Portilla added further: “I will continue with the side business and may even add other items such as banana bread. I think that there is potential even in this situation we are in, and we have to make the best out of it.”
Vincenzo appears hopeful, probably because he has somewhere to run to when the Elbistro shuts down. Most of the staff members will have to find a new job quickly, which may be problematic in the current job market. Gilbert, who soon will become his former supervisor, summarizes: “Many places are looking to downsize to try and deal with the financial impact of the pandemic. We have to be smart in the decisions we make because we are in a difficult situation. The pandemic may last for another year which may be devastating to the restaurant industry.”
References
Ruggless, R. (2021). One year in, COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact independent restaurants. Restaurant Hospitality. Web.
Hartmans, A. (2020). Roughly 17% of US restaurants have permanently shut down since the start of the pandemic as industry leaders warn of an ‘unprecedented economic decline’. Insider. Web.
Newton, E. (2021). Coronavirus will have lasting impact on restaurant industry. Food Safety News. Web.
Dube, K., Nhamo, G., & Chikodzi, D. (2020). COVID-19 cripples global restaurant and hospitality industry. Current Issues in Tourism, 24(11), 1487-1490. Web.
Bennet, P, & Ouazad, A. (2016). The relationship between job displacement and crime. Vox EU. Web.
Appendix A
Interview Questions
The Manager
- What has led to the closure of the business?
- Did you try other solutions, like asking for a loan from the bank or assistance from the government through their small business program?
- How did you break the news to the staff members, and what was their reaction?
- This community has offered support to the hotel for the years you have been set up; what can you tell them?
- The pandemic has affected many businesses. Do you see a trend of more restaurant closures in the coming months?
The Resident
- What is your reaction to the closure of Elbistro?
- How many times do you visit the restaurant, and what was your favorite dish?
- What is the impact of the pandemic on the community?
- Are you afraid of the rising unemployment rates in the country?
- What is the community doing to help the vulnerable members of the community?
Staff Member
- What was your reaction after the news that the hotel will be closed down?
- Do you have any plans after this job?
- Do you think the closure of businesses will affect the community?
- What should be done to help reopen businesses from your point of view?