LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Restaurants across central Kentucky are seeing significant drops in business as winter weather keeps customers at home, with some establishments reporting foot traffic down by half and tips falling dramatically.
At Ramsey’s Diner near the Masterson Station neighborhood in Lexington, seats that would normally be filled during the 11:30 a.m. lunch rush remain empty. Business Manager B.J. Birch said customers are arriving later than usual.
“It’s been a later crowd for the last week slowly coming in at lunch people are waiting until a little bit later I think to get a little extra time to get here,” Birch said.
Weather forces closures, hurts workers
The winter storm forced Ramsey’s Diner to close for two days. Birch said the weather has kept some customers away due to concerns about slipping and falling on ice.
“Everybody can’t miss a week of work and be ok financially,” Birch said.
Regular customer Greg Turner, a retired Marine who visits the diner at least once daily, said the restaurant is his primary social outlet.
“This is my communication period…my socialization,” Turner said. “My favorite place…my only place.”
Turner said he tips well when servers wait on him and believes restaurant owners should expect challenges in the business.
“I think people who decide that sort of thing they know what they are getting into and if they don’t have the flexibility and the imagination then they are going to lose out,” Turner said.
Downtown Frankfort sees steep declines
In downtown Frankfort, the Brown Barrel has seen business drop 50 percent over several days, with the lunch crowd down 75 percent. Servers who typically earned $200 per day in tips are now making about $30 per shift.
Sabrena Hockensmith, a frequent customer and former waitress, said the impact on servers is significant.
“That’s terrible…it’s really effecting everyone,” Hockensmith said. “Hopefully people will start coming out when it gets warmer and get rid of this cold weather and get back to normal.”
Restaurant managers said they expect business to increase next Saturday for Valentine’s Day.
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