For those of you old enough to remember a song released in 1978 (YIKES!), you may recall the lyrics “Walking through the park and reminiscing.” I hope you won’t mind if I do some reminiscing, now…
Reminiscing
The lyrics came from the song Reminiscing by Little River Band. I hope you don’t mind – and that Little River Band doesn’t mind either – me borrowing them here… They were, and still are, one of my favorite groups!
Those lyrics came back to me this morning as I was editing and republishing more of my old reviews. When I started the project several months ago, I wondered if the idea was a good one. I also wondered if the time spent on it was worthwhile. (and I have received a few emails that inquired the same of me in the interim),
A Resounding Yes
This morning that conundrum became clearer as I began to reminisce about all those restaurants and all those good times and excellent dinners with Lauren. Good idea? Is the time you are spending worthwhile? A resounding yes to both questions! But there is more. Something far more important: A question.
In editing all of the reviews, and in reminiscing about all the good times, one question kept coming up. Why have so many of those wonderful venues closed? One answer was immediately obvious. “Ralph, it’s been, in many cases, more than 15 – or perhaps 20 years – since you visited those places!” Time, and people, move on.”
I See Problems
OK, I get it. Nothing lasts forever – especially restaurants. In reading my own reviews, I can see the reasons for the ultimate failure of some. Things like poor service, sloppy plating, lousy acoustics, inadequately trained kitchen and wait-staff, ill-prepared management, chefs wanting better wages, etc. These all play a part. However, … I also see two problems.
Today’s world is vastly different. And I have seen things in the last eight or so years that are making me increasingly uncomfortable. Problem #1. Importantly, a lot of what I observe is a deteriorating work ethic. As in declining, worsening, becoming worse or lower in quality, value, or character.
Failed Transitions
I have seen way too many “transitions” that have failed due to a new owner joyously proclaiming, “I’ve always wanted to own my own restaurant” (or business, store, shop). So, they buy one that was for sale, and then quickly run it into the ground because they have no clue how to run and / or manage it.
But things have gotten worse. We have all seen what the Covid pandemic did, and how it affected the general economy. We know how difficult it has become to get an appointment with a doctor or health care worker. We know how difficult it is to locate and hire contractors and other workers / employees / laborers / personnel in various fields. Covid took an enormous toll on lots of things, including restaurants. But there’s more.
Don’t Want to Work at All
So, what else has changed in the last several years? And you can agree or disagree with me on this. Problem #2. I believe that many have simply lost their desire to work… at anything. Employees would like to have shorter hours, less demanding work, more time off, and… more money. Period. Many don’t want to work at all.
Problems #1 and #2 have combined to produce individuals who A) would rather not work at all, and B) have very little self-esteem and next to zero motivation / personal pride in what they do.
The Way Things Used to Be
So, where do we go from here? Answer: I have no idea. I see people who have no desire to prepare their own meals. I see an increasing number of people who cannot even afford to buy necessary items with which to prepare meals – even if they could.
I see diminishing numbers of restaurants, as well as diminishing numbers of available employees. I see restaurants that display an apparent unwillingness to be open more than four days a week. I see increasing numbers of frustrated people who would like to see “things return to the way they used to be.” And unfortunately, many children of restaurant (and other business) owners simply do not want to follow in their parents’ footsteps.
Share Some Great Memories
The way things used to be would be oh, so nice. But unfortunately, I am not sure that is going to happen – in fact, it probably won’t. In the meantime, join me in enjoying at least part of the way things used to be. Reminisce with me as you share some of the great memories from years gone by, and restaurants that are just gone. If you have dined at any of these restaurants I’ve reviewed, you’ll know what I mean… And I hope neither you, nor Little River Band will mind too much if I steal a few more lyrics:
“… Hurry, don’t be late, I can hardly wait
I said to myself when we’re old
We’ll go dancing in the dark
Walking through the park and reminiscing…”
And also remember that
Your Table is Waiting…
Ralph Pancetta
