Many of what were once wildly popular restaurants in Tallahassee have faded into history. Meanwhile, new places to eat keep popping up.
The restaurant business has always been volatile. Business Plan Writer.com calculates that about half of all restaurants don't live to see their 6th birthday, although numbers vary depending on the type of restaurant, such as fast-food or fine dining. In Tallahassee, because of a relatively young - some might say "fickle" - population, eateries seem to come and go more frequently.
And it seems those younger customers are pulling back everywhere. Here's Brett Schulmann, CEO of the national casual Mediterranean restaurant chain CAVA during an appearance on Fox Business recently.
"And what we've seen versus last year is moderation of that 25-34 age group. They're facing different and more significant head winds this year, whether that's student loan repayments, increased housing costs, other inflationary pressures around them, healthcare costs. And then the unemployment rate that's had them peel back a bit on their visitation."
Of course, the COVID crisis was a mortal blow to the business and its hangover persists. Just days ago, at 56 years, the nation's oldest continuously operated Red Lobster Restaurant, closed for good in Tallahassee. But right before that occurred, another chain restaurant opened in Tallahassee. It was a long-awaited Fazoli's Italian eatery. Steve Wilkens, a hometown guy, is the manager and was up bright and early to welcome the opening day customers.
"There were people ready to go in the drive-through when we first got here. Everything's been going pretty smooth and we've been working out the kinks. We've pretty much been meeting our goals and everyone seems pretty happy with the dishes we've been serving."
Often one restaurant will close only to be replaced by a different restaurant in the same location. So it was on West Tharpe Street when the vegetarian stalwart - "Sweet Pea" - became the "Sunny Morning Cafe." Its co-owner is Francesca Chinchilla.
"Today we have a special. It's Iberia tacos and we're making some babousas. All homemade! The restaurant theme is Mexican breakfasts and American breakfasts. But we'll also add other things like Salvadorean babousas, Salvadorean breakfasts. It's like a mix, you know?"
And then, we have a Tallahassee restaurant that's just grown from three locations to four. It's an old favorite called Hopkins Eatery. Owner Jacob Ogden was recently putting the finishing touches on the new Bannerman Road store. He admits it was scary to see so many places close in recent years, but is convinced Hopkins' devoted clientele kept his doors open.
"There were a lot of restaurants that I loved. But I worked and had a job that I couldn't make it to while they were open. So they were closed by the time I was off work and we made sure not to do that. (Our customers) are our family and they treat us like that and that's how we've been able to go for so long."
Forty years, to be exact. And Hopkins has been family owned since the beginning. Ownership passed from Jacob's grandmother, Martha "Dede" Johnson, to his mom, Debbie Johnson and her sister, Jennifer Poskey. She can't believe how the enterprise has prospered and grown.
"So many people come into the restaurant saying, 'I live out there where you're building the new location and we're so excited to have you!'"
Despite all the changes and churn, it seems Tallahassee is still a good place for good restaurants.
