According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 17% of restaurants close within their first year, and nearly 50% fail within five years.

It’s a tough business, filled with long hours, low profit margins and expenses can swing wildly due to inflation, rent increases or other changes. 

And in the last couple of years in Powell there’s been a number of restaurant closures for various reasons, from The Lamplighter Inn to Pepe’s, but what is good to see for anyone who likes to grab a bite downtown, is new restaurateurs continue to believe in Powell as a viable place for a successful restaurant. 

While nothing has filled the vaunted Lamplighter space yet, Pepe’s has become Amigos, breakfast spots Uncommon Grounds and 307 Cafe have successfully changed hands, Pizza on the Run has become Legend Pizza & Co (then took over Rest Awhile Cafe) and the former location of Hickory Street Bistro has now been filled by Powell’s newest restaurant, Hayloft. 

The business requires adapting, for instance Legend recently announced it’s stopping breakfast and sticking to its successful pizza business due to not enough interest and the emergence of the Hayloft, although that restaurant changed tack to just open for lunch to start as the owners take more time to develop breakfast service. 

Again, it’s a tough business and hopefully we can all extend to these business owners the grace that sometimes changes need to be made to keep a business profitable. 

These locally owned eateries are a big part of what keeps downtowns vibrant and it’s good to see empty locations filled. It’s still to be seen just how many breakfast spots Powell can handle, and maybe how many restaurants will remain, but as ever, it’s vital to have people willing to risk time and money to take a shot at it. 

Hopefully we all continue to support our favorite local spots and take chances to try the new ones.