The future of the street is finally coming into view. And that view is brighter than ever.

CLEVELAND This is the kind of place that Ive always wanted. I love our other spaces, of course, I do, I do, but Im really excited about this.

That's the sentiment of Julie Mesenburg, co-owner of the current Avo Modern Mexican in Ohio City, and Char Whiskey Bar in Rocky River. She and her husband Gabe Zeller are behind just one of the new signs of life coming to East Fourth Street- Indie.

It's not set to open until the fall, but out ahead of it- another new eatery. Goma by Dante opened its doors today, and Michael Symon's former Lola Bistro now has a new lease, though information on that is still under wraps for now.

Dante, you opened Dante 10 years agoyeah 10 going on 11," Chef Dante Boccuzi laughs as we sit in his new restaurant. "Someone tell me to stop!

But he is nowhere close to stopping, In fact, he's a large part of something new.

Its surreal that were apart of it, I still pinch myself," says Mesenburg, as we sit on the rooftop that was once apart of Greenhouse Tavern, and will one day be filled with plush couches, margarita slushies, and tons of Clevelanders.

So, its [the name Indie] is a nod to indie music, youll see a lot of our posters in here, about 170,," Mesenburg explains when asked about the restaurant's name.

"Yeah 170, a lot of them are from shows we actually attended," Zeller says.

On the food side, Indie is all about southern comfort foods- think fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and pecan pie.

Goma brings to 4th street, the chef's take on Japanese fusion, with plenty of sushi and interactive dinners like shabu shabu, dishes Dante has learned from cooking around the globe, including his time at the famed Nobu.

"As soon as you walk in, theyre yelling at you, welcoming you in Japanese," he says about the Nobu experience he hopes to bring to E. 4th. "Everyone yells it, and you're looking around like what's going on here, and the show begins.

Dante says when the prime spot on Fouth and Prospect opened up, it was a no brainer- made even better by a wrap around porch and glass garage doors.

As for Indie, just know that that great rooftop bar, is coming back.

So were redoing the bar top, redoing the back bar, were going to have a couple large TVs. Some lounge area seating back here, redoing the bathroom, repainting everything, making it fresh," Zeller explains as he takes us through the space, stepping around current construction.

No doubt the past year and a half has felt like a waiting game. Waiting to see family, to travel, and to return to our favorite restaurants.

I would say yeah, this has probably been the biggest challenge, because of the pandemic, and this is the first restaurant Ive actually invested my own income in, as well," Dante says.

But for East 4th street, that future is finally coming into view. And that view is brighter than ever.

I think were gonna see a whole new revival, new stuff coming, new ideas, a lot of great spots," Dante says.

I think the outlook is great, I come down here pretty much every day to check on construction and stuff, and the street is back alive," Zeller agrees.

If you'd like to support businesses like the ones on 4th, you can donate to the Ohio Restaurant Relief Fund, or find a job at one of the restaurants there, by clicking here.

You can follow updates on Indie, set to open in fall, on their Facebook page.

You can view the Goma menu, here.

More Save Our Sauce Coverage:

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The Future of East 4th Street | Save our Sauce: Doug Trattner reports - WKYC.com

In response to an inquiry from Community Impact Newspaper, Mike Abbate, assistant vice president for real estate and development with In-N-Out Burger, said the company hopes to open a restaurant in The Woodlands in the future, but no further details were available.

"At this stage, we are in the development application process, so its still too early to say when, or even if, we will be able to open a restaurant there," Abbate said in the July 1 email. "Once we do begin construction on a new location, it usually takes us 5 to 6 months to build the restaurant and open for business. We do know that The Woodlands is a wonderful community, and we are excited about the prospect of opening a location there."

The company did not respond to a question from Community Impact Newspaper regarding whether the location would be near The Woodlands Mall.

The company also responded to a Facebook Messenger request for comment by stating it could not confirm any site as a future location until it is under construction. Plans for new locations are always subject to change, according to the message.

The California-based restaurant chain has three locations in the Greater Houston area.

http://www.in-n-out.com

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In-N-Out eyeing The Woodlands for new location - Community Impact Newspaper

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Instruction

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Neighbors worry about changes as construction starts for The Grove Phoenix - AZFamily

Spero Conits is a soft-spoken man. His wife often tells him he mumbles too much. In a crowded restaurant with loud music playing, it's hard to hear him.

But when Conits is fighting for something he believes in, he's anything but quiet.

After a storm in 2014 destroyed hisrestaurant,Spero's Pete's Original Too, Conits vowed he would rebuild. That proved more difficult than he anticipated.

So difficult, in fact, that he took the city of Greenville to court in 2018.

"If there's something you believe in, you've got to protect it, you've got to fight for it," Conits said. "Can't let any roadblocks stop you."

Conits and the city were locked in a legal battle for yearsuntil this month, when they settled for a total of $1 million. Conits has yielded part of his property to the city, which will be turned into a passive park honoring his Greek immigrant parents, John andAthena.

And now, with thesettlement reached, Conits is turning over a new leaf.

Conits has several simplegoals now, like staying active and healthy andfocusing on his family.

He also wants to give back.

"I had a good run. I've still got stuff now volunteer for some stuff I've been putting off getting into, dosome work for the churches.Cook for them, delivery for them," he said.

Now "semi-retired," Conits manages his real estate portfolio, plays golf and is busy planning a trip back to Greece, he said.

His kidney transplant, which he underwent in 2019, made him push pause on many of his plans. It was a grueling process.

But, the new kidney was "the ultimate gift," he said.

Conits is also turning attention to the park heenvisions at the spot of his old restaurant, at the corner of East Stone Avenue and East North Street. He wants to install a plaque in honor of his parents, who immigrated to Greenville during World War II and became successful restaurant owners.

While the lawsuit over the land was "frustrating,"hedoesn't hold a grudge against the city.

"It's some kind of closure, but it's kind of bittersweet," he said.

It took three years to reach that "bittersweet" closure in Conits' case.

The issue stemmed from acity law that prohibited new construction in areas federally designated as a floodway. That included Conits' propertyat the corner of East Stone and East North.

When Conits remodeled the building to open his restaurant in 2008, his property wasn't within a floodway designation. TheFederal Emergency Management Agency didn't revise its insurance map until after the storm that claimed his restaurant in 2014.

Conits filed a lawsuit in 2018, claiming that the city used the property to turnit into a public floodway. The city, he argued, violated theConstitution by not allowing him full use of his privately owned property withoutcompensation.

The city disputed the claim.

The city's building code division also denied Conits' second building permit application twice.In 2017, Conits appealed the city's decision to a state circuit judge. It was ultimately ruled that the denial was in keeping with the city's law.

While the judge denied Conits' appeal, the city was busy changingits stormwater regulations, offering an opportunity forConits to rebuild. But the changesmeant Conits could only build a replacement building and that he could only rebuild one more time if it was destroyed again.

It was too expensive, Conitssaid.

"My insurance guy said, 'It would be like five, six times what you're paying now to insure,'" he said.

Finally, in June 2021, Conits and the city reached an agreement. The land was divided between Conits and the city.Conits keeps part of the property and the barber shop housed there, and the city will turn its portion of the landinto a park.

"Following amicable discussions, the city and Mr. Conits were able to find a solution that made sense for both parties," city spokesperson Beth Brotherton said in an email. "The settlement allows the city to obtain additional green space and permits Mr. Conits to use the remainder of his property in the future. The city has the utmost respect for Mr. Conits, we simply disagreed about the impact of the citys stormwater regulations on his Stone Avenue property."

Conits loves the restaurant business for the people.

"You get to know the customers on a personal level," he said.

He bringsthat same people-focused approach to his next venture, whether he will spendtime with his friends and family, visit his restaurant tenants or volunteer.

He's moving faster now despite his semi-retirement, he said.

"I have a punch list every day," he said.

Near the top of his punch list is planning a dedication ceremony for the new park. He hopes to hold it in the next few months.

Macon Atkinson is the city watchdog reporterfor The Greenville News. She's powered by long runs and strong coffee. Follow her onTwitter @maconatkinson.

Continued here:
Greenville restaurant owner vowed to rebuild, but instead he'll honor his Greek parents - Greenville News

Flight Club, a British-import bar and restaurant featuring darts, will open late 2021 at Regent Square, 1203 Dunlavy. Photo: Flight Club

British darts bar restaurant headed to Regent Square

Flight Club, a British-import bar and restaurant revolutionizing the game of darts, is coming to Houston, having secured a 8,500-square-foot space at Regent Square, 1203 Dunlavy.

Set to open late 2021, Flight Club Houston will be the third U.S. location of the immersive concept featuring social darts play for groups of up to 10. It will be the first Texas outpost of the British-based chain that has locations in Boston and Chicago.

In addition to cocktails, beer, and wine, the food menu includes dishes such as steak frites skewers, Kung Pao cauliflower, mini tacos (barbacoa and shrimp), pretzels with pimento cheese, sandwiches (BLT, buffalo chicken, burger), French fries, flatbreads, and cronuts or cotton candy for dessert.Regent Square is the mixed-use development under construction on the Allen Parkway corridor.

Goode Bird serves last fried chicken this week

This weekend is your last to enjoy Goode Bird, the Goode Co. fried chicken concept that took flight during the pandemic out of temporarily closed Armadillo Palace.

Now that Armadillo is ready to fully reopen, it needs to reclaim full use of its kitchen, which means that Goode Bird will have to fly the coop. The last orders for the fried chicken menu will be July 4. Goode Bird orders can be placed through Sunday at goodecompanygoodebird.com (hours are Wednesday-Friday 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.). Armadillo is offering a limited menu through mid-July when it reopens to full service.

Goode Birds menu includes deviled eggs, green chile pimento cheese, cornbread and biscuits, buttermilk fried chicken, chicken tenders, roasted chicken, side dishes, salads, and sandwiches.

Annie and Turners back after fire closure

Two of Houstons most popular upscale restaurants, The Annie Caf & Bar and Turners, are back in business after being closed for more than a month. The two Berg Hospitality restaurants at 1800 Post Oak at BLVD Place were forced to close for renovations after a kitchen fire on May 19. Dinner service resumed at both restaurants on June 26.

Chicago group to open two concepts in Texas Tower

Etta, an Italian restaurant from the Chicago-based What If Syndicate, will open early 2022 at Texas Tower, the high-rise office building under construction in the 800 block of Texas Avenue.

Etta, with a menu from two Michelin star chef Danny Grant, will occupy more than 6,000-square-feet of space at the tower. The Etta menu is known for its wood-burning brick oven pizza and focaccia and wood-fired hearth for spit roasting and grilling (roasted short rib, crispy porchetta, chicken, whole branzino, steaks) and pastas.

A second concept from What If, not yet announced, also will be located in the tower. What If also will open an Etta next year in Dallas where it already operates two other concepts, Monarch and Kessaku in The National mixed use project. What Ifs other concepts include Maple & Ash, the Chicago steakhouse that also will open in Dallas.

Roma restaurant welcomes back executive chef

Roma, the Rice Village Italian restaurant, has a new executive chef. Sandro Scarafile, the Pugliese chef who was executive chef at Sud Italia (the Roma precursor), returns to the 2347 University Blvd. restaurant where he will oversee the Roma menu with the addition of a number of Pugliese dishes including seafood and crudo. He also plans to focus on seasonal ingredients and tableside preparations. His first menu is July 1.

Im not going to be changing the core dishes of Romas menu, he said. I want to keep our regular customers happy. But Scarafile will be bringing back his much-loved orecchiette pasta with broccoli raab, a dish inspired by his early childhood in Puglia and his parents cooking.

Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Hear him on our BBQ State of Mind podcast to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture.

Greg Morago was a features editor and reporter for The Hartford Courant for 25 years before joining the Houston Chronicle as food editor in 2009. He writes about food, restaurants, spirits, travel, fashion and beauty. He is a native Arizonan and member of the Pima tribe of the Gila River Indian Community.

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British darts bar and restaurant to open first Texas location - Houston Chronicle

ROCKFORD Illinois Gaming Board officials have approved 815 Entertainment LLC's request to begin construction of a temporary Rockford casino.

Construction of the temporary casino could begin in a matter of daysat the former location of Giovanni's Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road.

"Based on a review of the materials applicant submitted in support of this request along with your representations, and pursuant to the authority delegated to me under the June 11, 2020, Board Resolution … request is hereby approved," Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter wrote in an approval letter obtained by the Rockford Register Star."Applicant may now commence construction at the temporary casino facility."

More: Investors for Hard Rock Casino Rockford granted approval, project takes major step forward

Construction is expected to last about three months. Before it can open however, the casino still must obtain the Gaming Board's permission to operate and receive approval of the casino'ssecurity and surveillance setup.

The 37,790-square-foot restaurant and banquet hall will be transformed into a temporary casino location. Plans are for the location to undergoan estimated$8.8 million renovation. It is expected tofeature736 slot machines, maintain two restaurants and could possibly include a"Rock Shop."

More: Castrogiovanni family to sell casino ownership stake, restaurant after Hard Rock ruling

Mayor Tom McNamara said this is a proud day for Rockford, which is the first of the six new casino locations approved by a 2019 state gambling expansionto begin construction.

"This is a huge accomplishment for our community, and it will bring hundreds of construction jobs to Rockford, McNamara said in a written statement.

The temporary casino could operate for two years while the permanent, $311 millionHard Rock Casino Rockford is under construction. That project must still obtain further permission before construction can begin at the entrance to Interstate 90 and East State Street at the former location of the Clock Tower Resort.

State Sen. Dave Syverson said he has championed a casino in Rockford for 20 years and worked with four mayors, four governors and numerous legislators in an effort to make it a reality.

Syverson said815 Entertainment LLC has made smart moves from the start that have put its proposalin a position to succeed, partneringwith Hard Rock International to operate the casinos andRingland-Johnson Construction to build them. Syverson also gives them credit for havingagreements worked out with local governments and labor unions allowing them to "hit the ground running."

"While I would have loved to have the projectcompleted years ago, in the end, the final project turned out to be even better than we had ever hoped for when we started," Syverson said in an email to the Register Star. "The Hard Rock brand is the most sought after brand in the world and we now have that in Rockford."

Jeff Kolkey: jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey

Original post:
Ready to rock? Construction of temporary Rockford casino approved - Rockford Register Star

BOSTON Shawmut Design and Construction announce that it has completed a historic renovation of The Langham, Boston hotel.

Originally constructed as The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in the early 1920s, theRenaissance Revival-style buildings faade was designated as a Boston landmark in 1978, just before being converted into a hotel. Shawmut partnered with architect Dyer Brown and interior design firm Richmond International on the renovation to preserve the history of the building and highlight its architectural elements while incorporating the finest materials and bringing the national landmark to a new standard of modern luxury.

The renovation of the 288,000 square-foot hotel included the 312 guest rooms, eight loft suites, and the Chairman Suite; new Grana restaurant and The Fed cocktail pub; the new, private Langham Club; and the new Lincoln Ballroom. The team installed new finishes, millwork, and furniture in guest room corridors, lobby, and meeting spaces and updated the hotels infrastructure with all new heating and cooling units, plumbing, and life safety.

The completion of The Langham, Boston renovation is a significant milestone not only for Shawmut but for Bostons luxury hotel market, said Randy Shelly, executive vice president of hospitality, Shawmut Design and Construction. Our team expertly managed the delicate balance of honoring the buildings origins through preservation and restoration techniques while enhancing the guest experience with technological integrations and the finest of finishes.

The Langham, Bostons exterior received updates including new awningstrading in the hotels signature red for charcoaland a new entrance canopy with custom-made bronze panels from the Czech Republic.

The updated lobby includes a concierge and lounge area featuring a new fireplace. Brass and glass decorative screens create privacy between the lounge and concierge, and reception and elevators. In the rear lobby, the Shawmut team installed a brand-new grand staircase, clad in ebonized wood panels with antique brass accents and a leather-wrapped handrail.

Set in what was once the grand hall of the Federal Reserve,Granarestaurantfeatures the buildings original terrazzo floors, which the team restored, repaired, and infilled with custom color-matching. Gold leaf was applied to the original decorative plaster box trims and floral reliefs on the ceilings perimeter, which were carefully protected during construction. To mimic the buildings original domed glass skylight, the team installed a backlit suspended ceiling. The original brass Federal Reserve seal embedded in the floor when the bank first opened in 1922 was protected during the renovation and remains in the center of the room.

The Fed,the Langhamsnew cocktail pub, pays homage to the buildings origin as the Federal Reserve with walnut millwork inspired by safety deposit boxes. A fluted walnut bar face and Italian marble bar top is complemented by a custom brass and glass drink rack with illuminated panels, installed by Shawmut. To access the outdoor patio, the team created a new opening by cutting through two feet of the building, including the granite faade, and installed a new brass door.

The Langhams former restaurant,CafFleuri, was transformed into the newLincoln Ballroom. The team added a new ceiling with a large central skylight under the existing atrium to provide natural light to the new ballroom. Gold leaf was applied at the coffered ceiling trims and silver leaf under the skylight. A fully-integrated A/V system was also installed, and the team performed structural work to support the projectors, which are installed on integrated scissor lifts to allow for remote control and extension from the ceiling.

The Governors Room, formerly the Officers Lounge and conference room for the Federal Reserve, was converted to a formal boardroom, marked by the original marble fireplace which was shifted three feet over to be centered in the updated room.The Langham Club,a new private club space on the eighth floor, reconfigured guest rooms to create a reception area, dining area, library with custom millwork bookcases, and buffet featuringgrigio biliemi, blue volga, and statuario extrastones.

New features of the hotels 312 guestrooms and suites include a sitting area with custom corbel shelves made to complement the crown molding; doorbells tied to a Lutron switch to allow guests to indicate if they dont want to be disturbed or if theyd like their room cleaned; and Legrand Adorne switch systems with dimmable lights. The bathrooms feature marble hand-selected by the project team from the Santucci Quarry in Carrara, Italy, and amenities including rain shower heads, heated toilet seats, demister mirrors, and speakers connected to the bedroom television.

The residentially-styled Loft Suites feature 16-foot-high ceilings and the original 12 -foot high brass-embossed windows. The Shawmut team refurbished the brass mullions to make the original feature feel new. Connecting the two floors, the team installed a glass railing with antique brass details on the loft level that overlooks the first floor of the suite.

The Chairman Suitechannels the spirit of New England with a contemporary classic nod to the 1920s. The living room boasts a new electric fireplace with Calacatta Oro stone, coffered ceiling, and silver leaf glass panels within the built-in millwork. The dining room features a Calacatta Oro wet bar with specialty resin cabinet doors that feature inset panels of overlapping solid silver oak fern leaves. The suites luxurious finishes include fabric wall panels made of horsehair and wool with leather piping, custom light fixtures, and a standalone soaking tub.

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Shawmut Celebrates the Reopening of The Langham, Boston - Boston Real Estate Times

They're back hungry and in large, sometimes overwhelming numbers.

Not the Brood X cicadas, but patrons at Akron restaurants and bars. Area establishments report they're seeing dining rooms as crowded as they were before the pandemic, with one popular spot downtown reporting its largest crowds in at least three years.

Now, owners say, if they could only get their workers back, times would be great. As it is, many of them are working harder than ever, often at tasks they used to pay others to do.

"We're all doing it on a minimum staff," said Daniel Basone, owner of The Lockview bar and restaurant downtown, as well as El Gato Taqueria next door on South Main Street.

Basone, who is 59, answered the phone cheerfully, even though he said he had just strained his back lifting a keg of beer something he normally wouldn't have to do himself. But for now at least, with customers aplenty and help scarce, he said he has little choice.

Basone's restaurants, especially the Lockview, are normally popular spots for the downtown lunch crowd, but he has had to pick and choose when he'll be open, on a limited basis, with what staff he's been able to muster. El Gato still is closed temporarily, and the Lockview is only open in the evenings, for now, and closed on Sundays and Mondays. Normally, it would be a seven-day-a-week operation, open day and night.

"We're not open in the day yet because we can't find staff. Dude, it's brutal. I need eight cooks, right now," Basone said. "I could hire at least 25 people, right now. I used to run 52 employees for both places when we were in full swing. Right now, I have 16 employees."

Limited staffing and open hours aren't holding the Lockview back too much, though. Basone said his business is at least 40% higher than it was in 2019, before the pandemic, but also when construction on Main Street in front of the restaurant had begun hindering business.

There's no Sunday lunch crowd these days, but that's probably OK. Basone can use the extra time to clean up from the weekends, which he says have recently been his busiest in years.

"On weekends, we're getting back to an hour or an hour-and-a-half wait at the door. People are going out, man," Basone said, noting that he has not seen crowds like that since 2018, before the construction outside began.

Business has gradually been coming back since last summer, when construction began moving past his locations, and has continued ever since, he said.

"Last summer, it was a slow build because the streets were still messed up, so we struggled. But now it's all looking good," Basone said.

He said he's doing well, in part, because other downtown attractions also are drawing people, some of whom come to the Lockview before or after concerts, ballgames and other events.

"A lot of it had to do with the Lock 3 concerts. We just got crushed right out of the gate when that started," Basone said. "And, surprisingly enough, this has been the best year yet for the ballpark crowd."

Restaurants don't have to be downtown to be feeling the crush from the rush of new business, though.

About a half-mile from downtown on West Market Street, Akron Family Restaurant a favorite breakfast haunt of executives, government officials and other movers and shakers in town also has seen its business return to normal.

"Everyone's actually coming back really strong. It's surprising," said Nick Corpus, who owns the restaurant along with his father, Dean, and other family members. "It's like we just turned a switch and the pandemic didn't happen and we're just moving and grooving back to normal life. It's a great feeling."

Akron Family was closed for 90 days early in the pandemic, but it used that time to improve.

"We redid the whole interior. We put all new laminate wood floors down, new tables, new chairs, and it looks great," Dean Corpus said.

It also put out a new sign in front that simply says "AKRON" in large block letters, with colors representing St. Vincent-St. Mary, Walsh and Hoban high schools, as well as purple for LeBron James' current team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Dean Corpus said most of the restaurant's business returned as soon as it reopened, but it took some time for the power-breakfast crowd to return, as many of the morning regulars were working from home. They're back in full force now, he said.

Akron Family also could use more staff, but it probably fared better than most restaurants because it's traditionally had low turnover, Dean Corpus reasons.

"I have four cooks that have been with me for more than 30 years. I tease Nick, 'I've known her longer than I've known you,' " Dean joked, noting that his son just recently turned 30.

Further afield and a bit up the chain as far as fine dining goes, Ken Stewart's Grille and Lodge also are both busy, said Terry Kemp, a manager at the Grille.

"We are fortunate that we have a great client base that keeps coming back, so we've ultimately been able to stay busy here at the restaurant," Kemp said. "We do have far less tables than before COVID. That was done partly because of social distancing, but we haven't been able to bring them all back because of staff."

The Ken Stewart restaurants have returned to their pre-pandemic business hours, Kemp said, but so far with only about half the seating they had before COVID. They'll open more seating as they staff up, she said.

Restaurateurs say they're serving patrons as well and as quickly as they can, but some are asking for patience ahead of time during particularly busy times.

"I explain to every customer, 'Your food will be up on time, but we're just really short-staffed,' " Basone said.

Prices may be going up, though, driven by higher wages and the rising cost of food.

Nick Corpus said he thinks most, if not all, restaurants are going to be forced to charge more.

"They're going to have to, to survive," he said. "Product prices have skyrocketed. In order for restaurants to stay in business, even us, they're going to have to raise prices. But we surely don't want to."

Original post:
Short-staffed Akron restaurants are booming with business - Crain's Cleveland Business

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) The Illinois Gaming Board has approved the construction of a temporary casino in Rockford.

However before the casino opens owner 815 Entertainment LLC must obtain the Gaming Boards permission to operate and receive approval of the casinos security and surveillance plans.

This is a huge accomplishment for our community, and it will bring hundreds of construction jobs to Rockford, Mayor Tom McNamara said in a written statement and noting it is the first of six new casino locations approved by a 2019 state gambling expansion to begin construction.

A 37,790-square-foot restaurant and banquet hall in Rockford will undergo an estimated $8.8 million renovation. When finished it is expected to feature 736 slot machines and two restaurants.

The temporary casino could operate for two years while the $311 million Hard Rock Casino Rockford is under construction. That project must pass several regulatory hurdles before construction can begin at Interstate 90 and East State Street in Rockford.

Original post:
Gaming board ok's construction of temporary Rockford casino - Associated Press

Shut for long stretches because of the pandemic, Mississippi River Distilling Co. in LeClaire, Iowa, has been counting on a summer rebound.

Crowds have come rushing back. But the distillery and events space cant find enough workers to serve its customers. And prices for spirits-making commodities, such as corn and glass, have spiraled. So have costs for lumber and construction, making a long-delayed plan to build a new party and wedding venue about 25% more expensive.

Whats at stake this summer is to try to build enough bank for the off months down the road, said co-owner Ryan Burchett. An outsider might see the patios packed and say, Everything is back. We made it. But we didnt yet.

Referring to the revenue lost to the pandemic, he said: Theres a hole. It cant be filled.

Summer looked like the on-ramp to a big recovery for the leisure and hospitality industry, hard hit by the pandemic and its lockdowns and propped up with billions in government aid. Instead, restaurants, theme parks, hotels and tourist attractions are finding themselves squeezed from multiple sides: rising costs, worker shortages, unpredictable supplies of some foods and, in some cases, demand so overwhelming its difficult to avoid leaving customers dissatisfied.

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Hotels and Restaurants Rebound Summer Held Back by Shortages of Everything - The Wall Street Journal