Shoney’s closes again … this time maybe for good
Shoney’s in Dublin is closed again … and this time it may be for good.
News of its closing broke this week on Facebook, and while early reports said the restaurant was gone for good, its owners say they still hope to re-open in the future.
“Hopefully it is only temporary again,” stated Susan D. Spencer of Young & Associates, owners of the Shoney’s and Bojangles restaurants between Dublin and Bristol.
“We simply had to make some difficult choices because of low sales, and we have closed two (Shoney’s) locations, the one in Bristol and the one in Dublin.”
Shoney’s in Dublin had been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, when the governor eased restrictions and the state entered Phase 3 of reopening plans the restaurant reopened.
“We have been able to be open since we were shut down before because we had gotten a Payroll Protection Loan, so our payroll has been coming from that account,” Spencer explained. “Unfortunately, that was exhausted this week and we cannot continue to meet payroll and bills for food, utilities, repairs, etc., so we had to close the two restaurants with the lowest sales and see how we do. There is talk that we may be able to apply for a 2nd loan, but that has to get through Congress, and our franchise may be considered too large at this point to qualify if they are going to specifically help smaller business owners first this time.”
While Shoney’s has always been popular with locals, travelers staying at nearby hotels and coming off the interstate were vital to the restaurant’s business.
That’s just not happening enough now due to the pandemic.
“People just are not traveling like normal, and are wary about eating out, and there is nothing that any amount of advertising, etc. is going to do to change that with the current situation,” Spencer said. “Even if there were travelers, etc. out there, we can’t really fully seat our dining rooms and maintain social distance, although I don’t think it’s been a case that we have had waiting lines. This is a terrible time for our economy and particularly the restaurant industry.”
By MIKE WILLIAMS, The Patriot
July 23, 2020 @ 11:24 am
Open in Dublin advertising you are open serve your buffet cafeteria style. Workers serving so food is protected from public.
July 23, 2020 @ 12:25 pm
I really hope that Shoney’s get to re-open again, we need a nice family restaurant in Dublin especially for the people that travel. Also we need to keep the revenue in Pulaski County and in Dublin. If our Pulaski County and Dublin Communities do not support Shoney’s then they will close and that would be another good building going to waste. I was in Pulaski yesterday and there are so many empty buildings that could be really good places to go and to make it affordable for the people of Pulaski. Yes I know everyone wants to go to Christiansburg I even go sometimes myself, but we have some great fast food areas in Dublin and Pulaski areas and that is why we need some good family style restaurants where people can come in and set down and enjoy a nice meal or a good breakfast. It would be so nice if we could build our communities up like Wytheville. So I am asking that the communities of Dublin and Pulaski, Newburn to PLEASE! PLEASE! Lets all help bring the revenue back to our communities.
July 23, 2020 @ 12:42 pm
Sure gonna miss y’all , was going to dine there in a couple of weeks for my anniversary , made me cry when I found out that y’all are closing
July 23, 2020 @ 9:16 pm
We just saw the buffet for seniors on Tuesdays we was planning on coming tues sadddd
February 4, 2021 @ 12:09 pm
Cannot understand why Shoneys left Kingsport, Tn after so long and many older people really felt at home there. It was where you could count on good food, great service and affordable price. A useless car wash is coming in now and Kingsport is overrun with car washes that some have closed because of no business. Very disappointed in Shoneys leaving our town deserted. There is literally no where to go for a good meal.
March 8, 2021 @ 2:52 pm
Shoneys got where the food and service was no good,look at Cracker barrel, there always busy,because they have good food and prices.
April 11, 2021 @ 2:30 pm
It’s so sad they shut down. They had a great place to eat and have hot fudge cakes. Shoney’s was always a clean place and the prices were always reasonable. Everyone was so friendly there it felt like home. I feel sorry for the people that loss their job there. I hope they reopen for everyone.