Visitors this week were greeted by a sign taped to the front door: “Given the economic climate (pandemic, staffing issues and daily rising food costs) we had to make the unfortunate decision to close our doors permanently. We appreciate all your patronage through the years.”
Many restaurants have increase the cost of their menu items due to the higher food costs. Check sizes increased by 4% in 2021, according to the National Restaurant Association.
While the organization doesn’t break its figures down by state, Joh Barker, CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association, said Ohio restaurants probably raised prices by a similar percentage.
Over the same period, restaurant costs inflated by about 9%, Barker said, citing National Restaurant Association figures.
Most Ohio restaurants are hiring and some fast-food restaurants only operate their drive-throughs due to the worker shortage.
Rick Pearce, president of the Chamber of Commerce serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton, said he patronized Rivertown and was “disappointed” to learn Thursday about its closing.
But he was confident another business could succeed in that location due to its easy access and visibility off Ohio 63, since its infrastructure is complete and the five-year history of Rivertown.
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Image | Title “Letter from owners of Rivertown”
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The Monroe location came a little more than seven years after founder Jason Roeper opened Rivertown Brewing’s brewery in Lockland. He was unavailable for comment.
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