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July 13, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: While there may have been more shocking and disappointing headlines in your newspaper since The Lexington Gazette started up in 1801, I will leave that up to local historians. But when I saw “Southern Inn Restaurant Closes” heading in last week’s edition, that was it for me. Another local restaurant just didn’t close its doors. A Lexington landmark, lighted sign and all, went dim. It became off-limits, not just to VMI cadets.
What’s going on here? Rather, what’s not going on everywhere? The Hugers said that staffing was a major factor in their decision to shut down a 91-year old restaurant. On New Year’s Eve I drove up to Staunton’s version of the Southern Inn, The Mill Street Grille. It was closed! Something about a staffing problem. That’s like closing Macado’s on St. Patrick’s Day. Elsewhere I walked past a closed eatery with this sign of truth in the window: “America has a staffing problem.”
Change. Sure, that’s always what’s happening. Please don’t blame the recent pandemic for our changes. Pandemics only accelerate change; they move the future closer.
Then there are cultural changes. Fine restaurants like the Southern Inn are playing a much smaller roll in America’s future. Its loyal patrons are dying. Ninety-one years is a long time. Some of us die. Others raise fastfood kids. As for those staffing shortages, I read where there are millions of job openings. Does anyone want to work anymore? What happened to America’s work ethic?
Let me close with a note of thanks. Sue Ann and George Huger came down from Baltimore to give us not just fine food with an intimate surrounding. They gave us that shot of sophistication every college town needs. A fire failed to close the place. So, George and Sue Ann, stick around. Tell us about your next dream. The last one was a blast. DAVID REYNOLDS Rockbridge County
