BEDFORD, Mich. — Back in November, we brought you a special report about the challenges businesses are facing.
Three months later, owners still are feeling staffing and supply chain pinches.
Rich Kenny of ForestView Lanes in Bedford, Mich. is keeping the ball rolling.
"People want to be out in bowling centers right now. It's busier than it's ever been," Kenny said.
However, he's still facing a variety of challenges.
About three months ago keeping product in his kitchen was practically impossible. "We can't even get potato skins right now. Pretty much everyone is not able to get potato skins in," said Rich in November.
Now, Kenny tells WTOL 11 he just gave up on that particular appetizer, but now cheese sticks are a challenge.
Believe it or not, Kenny says stocking his walk-in cooler is a little easier than getting equipment parts.
"I can't even get parts for some of our refrigerator units right now. People are holding all the parts they have for their own equipment. You literally have to buy new equipment sometimes. You can't even get the spare part you need to fix something," Kenny said.
Wendy Gramza is the President and CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce.
She says while businesses are open and COVID numbers are coming down, challenges haven't eased in the past three months.
"The workforce is still an issue. It is still an issue with the supply chain. So businesses are having to be very creative and it really is very challenging right now," Gramza said.
As demand rises and supply doesn't, prices go up, which is also hitting business owners. Gramza and Kenny say everything is just more expensive.
Gramza can't predict when things will normalize, but says experts tell her it likely won't be this year.
Until then, she and business owners are asking for your patience.
"We're trying. Everyday is a new challenge," Kenny said.
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