Friday Fictioneers — Throwing In the Towel

Fandango

I’m throwing in the towel, Gladys. We’re closing down. Just look around. Most of our tables are empty. People aren’t eating out anymore.

Our entire savings went into this place. When we first opened The Stained Glass Cafe three years ago, we were SRO every night. The waiting list was months long.

Then COVID hit.

Due to the lockdown, we closed for 18 months. But last year, vaccines rolled out, restrictions eased, and we reopened. We were in business again. Until Delta. And then Omicron. It’s just not sustainable. I’m done with trying to make a go of it.

(99 words)

Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ Friday Fictioneers prompt. Photo credit: Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.

21 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers — Throwing In the Towel”

  1. Sadje January 28, 2022 / 6:28 am

    Sorry

    Story of many small businesses.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. KL Caley January 28, 2022 / 7:53 am

    Oh no, Sadly I think there may be more, there are those who are holding out for spring/summer booms but if it doesn’t happen…
    Great story.
    KL ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    • Fandango January 28, 2022 / 9:54 am

      It is sad how many restaurants and small businesses have folded over the past two years.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. pensitivity101 January 28, 2022 / 10:19 am

    I bet this is a familiar story for a lot of small businesses Fandango

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Carol anne January 28, 2022 / 11:48 am

    there are so many restaurants in this position, its so sad!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 28, 2022 / 2:59 pm

      Yeah, it is sad.

      Like

  6. Marleen January 28, 2022 / 11:55 am

    We went to a place (where we’ve enjoyed going for years) like this (with such a ceiling) a couple evenings ago… a son got a major promotion.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marleen January 28, 2022 / 12:04 pm

      They don’t leave catsup on the table, and there wouldn’t be anyone with a sports cap. I did think there were quite a few men in very casual shirts. I wouldn’t wear an ordinary hanging around the house shirt. I do like feeling as I’m in my home neighborhood, so wear (upper-end) slippers, especially on a week day after about seven PM.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Marleen January 28, 2022 / 5:02 pm

        There hasn’t been a place, yet, that I’ve liked a lot and found shuttered. There were months when they weren’t open, though. It’s kind of amazing they’re doing fine. I went for over a year without getting my hair trimmed, and I wondered if the place would still be there. They’re fine, too. It’s only logical that people have lost businesses over Covid-19, but I haven’t seen who.

        Liked by 2 people

        • Marleen January 28, 2022 / 5:28 pm

          Somone did convey, to me, that a Golden Coral (in a town I haven’t been to in years) closed down and has been replaced with a pot (cannabis) shop.

          Liked by 2 people

          • Marleen January 28, 2022 / 5:36 pm

            That reminded me that I saw an actual pot shop close (famous brand, Le Creuset maybe, and I bought something for my oldest son), but it was before the pandemic. That and a nice furniture store (I bought a couple chairs, a table, a side chest and four coordinating pieces of art, all on sale).

            Liked by 2 people

            • Fandango January 28, 2022 / 10:11 pm

              A number of brick and mortar pot shops have closed and been replaced by virtual, online cannabis delivery shops.

              Like

  7. msjadeli January 28, 2022 / 11:55 am

    There are a lot of empty storefronts these days. 😦

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Nope, Not Pam January 29, 2022 / 2:09 am

    Unfortunately so true ☹️

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.