We had a great time at Computer Club this morning as we reviewed Google Photos and a few other smartphone issues. It was FUN to play with some new apps too. Check the picture of the tiger we introduced to the room. Thanks to Doug for being brave enough to calm the tiger. 😀😃
There was a big article in the paper regarding some of our local restaurants. Thought it was noteworthy to share the story here.
CASA GRANDE — Life’s only a buffet for 48 more hours at the Golden Corral restaurant along Florence Boulevard in Casa Grande.
Last Thursday, the Golden Corral staff were given less than a week's notice by corporate headquarters that it was closing down the franchise. The restaurant will be closing permanently after Wednesday, Feb. 2.
According to Manager Sayed Ahmed, the primary reason for the closure is related to COVID and underperforming sales. An expected bump from winter visitors wasn't large enough.
“We’re all sad here,” said Ahmed, who opened the Casa Grande franchise back in 2006. “But it’s a business decision.”
On Tuesday morning, residents were commenting on social media that servers at the buffet were notifying all customers of the impending closure.
The closure is part of a national trend that has seen Golden Corral close around 25% of its locations — roughly 80 restaurants in total — since 2018.
Just down the road from the Golden Corral, the new Angry Crab Shack is interviewing potential hires this week; while the owners originally were hoping to open the restaurant early this month, the new opening date is tentatively scheduled for the end of February.
A second Whataburger is also currently under construction along Florence Boulevard on that side of the city.
The overall impact of COVID on the city’s restaurant scene isn’t clear. Over the past few months, a handful of restaurants have closed for short durations or adjusted hours of operation; when Denny’s closed last month for a brief period, management cited electrical and maintenance issues, not COVID or staffing shortages, as the reason behind the closure.
One restaurant that has had to close indefinitely due to problems hiring new staff is CGQ House downtown; however, the owners of that restaurant also run the nearby Big House Café, which is still open and released a new menu last month.
Meanwhile, the new Texas Roadhouse has continued to see strong business.
Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Renee Louzon-Benn said that she had heard from at least a handful of member restaurants that they were thriving, including BeDillon's Restaurant and the newer Hideout Steakhouse at The Promenade.
"The Hideout was pleased because we had another steakhouse open up, the Texas Roadhouse, and they didn’t see any type of lapse or dip in their business," Louzon-Benn said. "What conversations I’ve had with members is that they are doing well."
Louzon-Benn said that while she wasn't sure how the volume compared to 2019, the chamber was seeing an uptick of around 30-40 visitors compared to January of last year.
"We're super busy in there sometimes," Louzon-Benn said.
