Gulf Coast Businesses Struggle To Stay Open As COVID-19 Outbreaks Surge Among Staff

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Big Time Diner in Mobile, Ala., stopped serving on July 23.

"We had 12 people test positive, so we shut down," says Robert Momberger, owner of the neighborhood restaurant, which specializes in Southern sides and fresh Gulf seafood. He was among the staff who got sick, and he didn't want it to spread further.

"Oh, yeah, and unfortunately, I got through COVID, but during the process of COVID, I got pneumonia," he says. "That's what I'm trying to get over now."

Many of his young workers are not vaccinated, Momberger says. He had received only the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Now he's encouraging employees to get vaccinated, as the restaurant reopens Thursday with limited hours and new safety protocols, including masking.

Momberger says the restaurant was already short staffed because so many workers have left the hospitality industry during the coronavirus pandemic. He says he's paying employees an average of 25% more, on top of skyrocketing food prices. Nearly two weeks out of business is yet another setback.

"It is financially tough," Momberger says. "Bills still keep on coming. So it really hurts to shut down, but sometimes that's the best thing to do."