The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
George’s Family Restaurant sees rough times
Booths were empty and as a few customers trickled in and out of the George’s’ Family Restaurant on a Thursday afternoon.
The grill sizzled as a small amount of orders were placed and conversation quietly were heard in the building. Light shined through the windows and the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air.
George’s has been in Elyria for over 35 years. Located on 2170 N. Ridge Road, the mom-and-pop eatery serves all-day breakfast and a wide variety of lunch and dinner meals.
At the end of March, the business closed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. With the capacity for 170 people with its inside and outdoor seating, the restaurant lost an immense amount of business.
Owner Dimitar Manolov, 72, said the family restaurant suffered greatly during the pandemic.
“Before the coronavirus, the restaurant was doing great,” he said. “We saw our regular customers and others too. People would come in after church and it would be full.
“Before the coronavirus, the restaurant was doing great.”
— Owner Dimitar Manolov, 72,
“Since we opened back up business has been slow. I don’t think we can keep going on like this.
“If things don’t change, I don’t know what we’re going to do. We can only do this for about three or four more months.”
In preparation for reopening, the owner and staff implemented safety precautions to comply with the guidelines and also make the customers feel at ease.
“We put glass to separate the tables and have hand
sanitizer throughout the restaurant,” Dimitar said. “We clean multiple times a day. every day. We clean the floors, tables, surfaces, bathrooms, everything.”
Every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. the restaurant is open and the Manolovs along with staff are eagerly waiting for the return of the community.
“We aren’t making money right now but we want to be here. People know this restaurant, they love this restaurant,” Dimitar said.
For seven years, he and his wife, Rumyana, and his daughter Daniela, 20, have run the restaurant.
“We have regular customers that we care about. We’re concerned for them,” Daniela said. “I just hope everyone is OK and things can go back to normal.”
According to Daniela, the restaurant has been fortunate enough to not have to lay off staff.
“They aren’t getting as many hours, but we haven’t had to lay people off,” she said. “They’re getting about half the hours they normally get. Hopefully that’ll change soon.
“I just want to thank everyone who supports us and everyone who has supported us,” she added. “It makes a difference and I hope everyone is safe and OK. That’s who we are here.”
“If things don’t change, I don’t know what we’re going to do. We can only do this for about three or four more months.”
— Owner Dimitar Manolov