Summer can be challenging for local restaurants. They typically see slower business and less foot traffic in the warmer months. The owners of Gabrielle Restaurant in Treme brought attention to this trend in a social media post.
The restaurant posted surveillance video of a man they say dined and dashed, skipping out on a $100 tab. They said on top of that, it also happened during the slowest time of the year.
They aren’t the only ones feeling the slowdown as the summer solstice approaches. Several local businesses told WDSU they have to prepare for the season.
“It drops about 30%, it’s really significant,” Scot Craig, owner and chef at Katie’s Restaurant, said.
Katie’s Restaurant in Mid City has been open since 1984, and owners have had to take measures ahead of the summer in order to keep it successful.
“We cut labor because we have to be careful that there’s absolutely no overtime. And the management that’s on salary, they work more and I work more. So, cutting labor is a big deal, and obviously you buy less because you’re selling less,” Craig said.
College students leaving town for the summer also impacts businesses like Nolita Bakery.
“Soon as graduation is over, it slows down immensely. Lucky for us, people still have birthdays in the summer, so we still move quite a few cakes, but the everyday foot traffic definitely drops off,” owner Martha Gilreath said.
The restaurants can only do so much to prepare and depend on their customers to keep the lights on.
“Support your local restaurants in the summer, everyone. Because it’s all about, truly, it’s all about how much we’re going to lose and cutting our losses,” Craig said.
“Leave a good review, if you do get something, share it on Instagram, tell your friends. Those two things alone are massive because that translates into our business for the rest of the year,” Gilreath added.
New Orleans also sees less tourism during the summer months, with peak season happening in the spring.
READ MORE:Here’s how you can help New Orleans restaurants beat the summer slump
