It makes me nervous when I go into a restaurant and it's pretty empty

[raccoon]

when I'd expect that it'd be busy. Last Sunday I went into a Maurice's Barbeque place in Columbia, SC. Shortly after 1:00 in the afternoon. Many people eat lunch out on Sunday; I expect they do in your neck of the woods too. It was VERY QUIET. A few customers did trickle in after me, but....it still was pretty quiet.

My sister said, "Oh, Maurice's is high." And it is higher than many of your franchise places. To give you an idea, I paid $10 and change for a meat and two.

Yesterday I went to a small Chinese hole-in-the-wall place in Greenville, SC, at 5 pm. The place was too quiet. I mentioned this to the cashier. She said this month had been quiet. This Chinese place isn't high; I got a chicken lo mein for less than $5.

Anyone had similar experiences?

[seabeyond]

1. i rarely even hit fast food anymore. those prices are what restr use to be

now i take four (my family) and i have spent 70 bucks or more. not worth it to me.

[hobbit709]

2. People can't afford to eat out as often.

But the economy is going strong according to Fearless Leader.

[madaboutharry]

3. The restaurant business is always hit hard

in a bad economy. Eating out is one of the first things people give up.

[NY Magician]

5. I used to work in the restaurant biz

During college and then again for about 6 years after I quit my "real job". September normally is a pretty slow month for sit-down restaurants- kids are back in school, everyone is getting into "winter mode", and if the family does decide to eat out, it's usually take-out on the way to or from a school/sports activity. I do agree that restaurants are down- here on Long Island it's pretty noticeable- but there are seasonal factors at work as well.

[JohnnyBoots]

10. Yeah, but I bet the bars around Wall Street have been raking it in this week. NT

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. The most crowded places in my town are the 99-Cents/Dollar stores

Busy places because so many people can;t afford regular retail

[murielm99]

6. We have some well-established restaurants in my small

community that are hurting. They are the types of places that people stop for an ordinary meal or a piece of pie.

One of them now closes early if the dinner hour is slow. They have been concentrating on drawing in the breakfast and lunch crowd. But this is hurting them.

The other has bought up the pizza parlor next door and is working hard to make up the difference with that. They are still open for dinner, if people come in. They are a family operated business, so they can do that.

The sandwich shop is hurting. But a bar and grill on the corner is thriving. Their food is outstanding, so that may make a difference. They are not a family place. Many families cannot eat out.

[mitchum]

7. Maurice's barbecue in Cola is one of the few things that I miss about SC

yes, he is indeed a lunatic secessionist, but that is fantastic barbecue

[raccoon]

8. Agree on both counts. nt

[slackmaster]

9. Nobody goes to the good places any more

They all got to be too crowded.

[RB TexLa]

11. People not giving their money to other people is bad?

[Marrah_G]

12. your paycheck comes from people giving money to other people

How do you think the workers at the restaurants get paid?

[RB TexLa]

14. Yes, but that's where that money stops. You want them to have money, give them your money.

I don't have any problem with them, just not going to give them my money. I like to keep as much as I can for myself.

[Marrah_G]

15. The concern is that if people cannot spend the economy collapses.

It's not specifically about one person. It is about a long term drop in business that can lead to more unemployment.

It's like a snowball.

[seabeyond]

16. yes it is but until i know what is happening, i am saving the money i give to others

for the family and friends that arent going ot have any to feed themselves. i really feel we are all the way to that point.

[Marrah_G]

19. I have cut out all spending too

Mostly because I just don't have it.

Heck even taking my kids for an ice cream is a big deal these days.

[seabeyond]

20. kids for an ice cream is a big deal .... i hear ya. right there with you. n/t

[The Straight Story]

13. I eat at home now so I can smoke

:hide: :rofl:

[Billy Burnett]

17. I've been away from my hometown for several months. I can't believe how many restaurants closed

:wow:

I'm in Miami. I recently drove South on US1 down to Florida City. HOLY SH_T! I'm shocked to see so many small businesses boarded up in the hundreds of strip malls and small shops - maybe 30%.. It's a f-ing meltdown.


:scared:

[OffWithTheirHeads]

18. Yup! Took the family to my favorite San Jose restaurant

last Friday. This is one of the higher end places (dinner for 5 = $400.00) and has always been packed. Reservations a must. Last Friday the place was almost empty. Really scary! Got great service though!