BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — Of all the things the Greater Cleveland area has to offer, its food scene remains a key ingredient.
During Cleveland Restaurant Week, 3News is highlighting not only the discounts, but how restaurants are adapting to this evolving industry.
Since 1992, Matt Harper and his family’s Creekside Restaurant and Bar in Brecksville has welcomed customers with steaks, chops, pizzas, salads and sandwiches.
“We just like the area. Brecksville’s been great,” Harper said. “32 years here, yes -- especially in the restaurant industry -- that is a long time for a business.”
In recent months, everything from national food chains like Red Lobster and Dennys, to local restaurants and bars like Nighttown and Donte’s, have shut their doors for good. It’s an industry that has seen big changes, especially since the COVID pandemic.
“That was the scariest thing because it was the unknown,” Harper remembered. “The business itself has probably changed more in the last five years than the previous 25 combined.”
Attracting workers was a big challenge for many establishments for a time. Rising wages and food costs plus increased rent have also taken a toll on some businesses.
“I mean everyone sees it at the grocery store. We are not immune to that,” he said.
There has also been a shift in food preferences. Creekside now has gluten-free and nonalcoholic menus, something that didn’t exist a few years ago.
“A lot more avocado now than there used to be,” Harper said with a smile.
“To survive for a long time you got to be able to stay with the times and customers' preferences and taste change and you just have to stay on top of things and it can get exhausting sometimes to do that.”
Today, Harper says they are in a good position with workers. They also tried to implement new technology that continues to impact the hospitality industry.
Like the rest of us, Harper has seen restaurants come and go for one reason or another. But he’s not concerned because he says when one door shuts another usually opens to welcome new customers.
“You’re like the fabric of the community. This is where people go to celebrate things, right?” he said. “You need to connect with people and restaurants I think allow that to happen. They can bring that together to do that.”
Creekside Restaurant and Bar is one of 30 locally-owned, independent restaurants participating in Cleveland Restaurant Week through November 22. Discounts include $39.00 three-course, prix-fixe dinners. For more on the deals offered and other participating restaurants, you can head here.