Tara Kitchen

I have never been one to sugarcoat the realities of this business. Restaurants are often the first to feel economic pressure and the last to fully recover from it. As owners, we’re balancing rising costs, changing consumer habits, labor challenges, and uncertainty from every direction—all while trying to preserve the hospitality and experiences our guests deserve.

I’m grateful to be featured in today’s paper discussing the state of the restaurant industry, why local restaurants matter, and what I believe is at stake if we lose them. These conversations aren’t always comfortable, but they’re important. If those of us living it don’t speak up, who will?

The restaurant business has given me a life, a purpose, and a platform. I feel a responsibility to use that platform honestly—not just to celebrate the wins, but to talk openly about the challenges too.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support independent restaurants. Every reservation, every meal, every recommendation matters more than most people realize.

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