The front doors of the restaurant at Aunt Mabel's Country Kitchen & Motel are closed, and owner Brian Miller is clarifying what ultimately led him to make that decision.
Miller has owned Aunt Mabel's for 15 years and says a cook quitting on Thursday left the business unable to handle the large influx of customers, especially on the weekend. Miller says this is not the first time one of his employees suddenly quit, noting his business "has lost a cook per week" since March.
Miller says this is the first time he's heard of a profitable restaurant having to close, but says he was forced into the decision because he simply can't find enough people to work.
There was some chatter on social media over the closure, with some pointing to the recent hike in minimum wage, teenagers being unwilling to work, and the local economy as reasons for the closure.
But Miller stressed "teenagers have nothing to do with this", and says the situation of a higher cost of living makes it a challenge to find workers, not just locally, but from across the province.
Miller stresses this is not due to one factor or one business.
When asked about the closure, acclaimed Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau said the town is currently working on a revised Community Improvement Plan he hopes will account for the lack of available workers for service industry jobs in the area.
Charbonneau says Saugeen Shores continues to look at ways to create more affordable housing in the area, which has seen local real estate prices rise over the last 4-5 years.
Miller confirms the restaurant at Aunt Mabel's will remained closed for at least a month while the business is restructured.