LORAIN, Ohio — A Lorain restaurant which has been anchored along the shores of Lake Erie for 27 years will close at the end of October.
Jim Andrews, owner of Jackalope, made the announcement this week.
"We've had a great run," Andrews said.
The restaurant has given Andrews, his staff, and his customers great views for nearly three decades.
"We just got so many great memories here," Tony Dimacchia, a longtime friend of Andrews and customer at Jackalope, told 3News.
For the last four years, business has been tough for the restaurant. Andrews says the price of food and supplies have skyrocketed, and finding qualified employees has been a challenge.
"We got through between 200 to 300 pounds [of perch] a week, and this is kind of what crushed the business because it increased 56%," he explained. "Our walleye we go through 150 to 200 pounds a week, and that went up 39%. Prime rib was $600 to $700 a case; it's $1,300, $1,400 [now]."
Andrews says he's had a core group of employees that have been with him along the 27-year journey, along with loyal customers who have become family. Dimacchia has supported Andrews and the restaurant since the beginning.
"We got on our hands and knees and started painting the place," Dimacchia remembered. "A lot of years later, he's here, and we're proud of the work we did here."
Andrews told us he plans to sell the restaurant.
Jackalope, also known as Erie Steak & Seafood Co., will remain open full-time until Oct. 1, then it will be only open Fridays and Saturdays until the end of the month before permanently closing its doors.