BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — The windows are dark, the open sign will never flash again. On Tuesday the owners of Porkbelly BBQ in Bowling Green posted on Facebook that their establishment had closed for good.
The message, which has received over 700 reactions and dozens of heartbroken comments, reads in part: "This decision has not been made lightly. Our sales have been down considerably due to construction of the round-a-bout while food costs have skyrocketed over the last several months and we simply cannot overcome these issues."
The owners blame a roundabout project near the restaurant on Wooster Road. Construction of the roundabout was ongoing from March to August, restricting the flow of traffic in the area.
Restaurant co-owner Heather Earl said over a Facebook message with WTOL 11 that the restaurant began noticing a serious decrease in business in June.
Along with the road project, Earl said the rising cost of food made it hard to keep Porkbelly BBQ going.
And these issues also are affecting other restaurants.
WTOL 11 spoke to David Olivardez, co-owner of Mexican staple El Zarape in Bowling Green. His restaurant is near the now-shuttered Porkbelly BBQ. He said his restaurant also faced these challenges, beginning with the road construction.
"We did see a decrease in our sales overall, and just add in the fact that it was during the summer, and students were gone from the university, it really took a toll on our total sales," Olivardez said.
And Olivardez said the rising cost of food continues to be a struggle for his business and every restaurant nationwide.
"I've seen from other fellow business owners, not only in Bowling Green but in other areas, that have gone through that, it's just something we have to get through and get help and support each other," Olivardez said.
This is why as a fellow restaurant owner, Olivardez said his heart goes out to the Porkbelly BBQ owners.
"I would just say that it was an awesome time, going down there and being neighbors with them, I'm really sorry they went through that situation," he said. "We're here to support them if there's anything we can do, reach out, we're here to support each other."
Meanwhile, WTOL 11 reached out to representatives with the city of Bowling Green to get their take on their projects affecting local business, we haven't heard anything back at this time.
More on WTOL: