The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
AUTUMN EXTENSION
Sunset Cafe to stay open until October 2
The Sunset Cafe is extending its season through Oct. 2 on the shores of Lake Erie in Lorain.
Rachael Gilles, the special events and food services coordinator for Lorain County Metro Parks, said people wanted to try the idea at the cafe at Lakeview Park, 1800 W. Erie Ave.
“We actually extended it into the month of October, because we got some requests from folks,” Gilles said. “So, if it works well this year, we will do it again next year.
“Normally, we are open through Labor Day, but this year we will be open through Oct. 2, that Friday. That will be the final day of the season for us,” she said. “We talked about doing it last year because we do have a lot of regulars that wanted us to remain open for as long as we could.”
“Our usual patrons are working folks in the city, and a lot of folks are unemployed now...”
— Rachael Gilles, special events and food services coordinator
“So, we figured we would give it a try,” Gilles said.
The novel coronavirus pandemic has lowered the customer volume for the cafe this year, she said.
“It’s been slow,” she said. “A lot of people are still afraid to go out. People do like to sit outside, on the patio, but that has been affected when we have gotten some rain.
“I think the beach was a little more busy this year, but people felt safer outside as opposed to inside, so we really didn’t get that traffic this summer.”
Gilles said the pandemic has indirectly caused issues with people being out of work.
“Our usual patrons are working folks in the city, and a lot of folks are unemployed now,” she said, “so that plays a factor in it as well.
“There are also a lot of folks that are working from home now, and that has put a damper on things as well.”
Sydney Klingshirn, cashier at the Sunset Cafe, said there is a great variety of food at the cafe.
“The turkey avocado wrap is popular,” Klingshirn said. “Our burgers are also very popular. People also like our paninis and the perch is the top item.”