Rising gas prices leave some local restaurant seats empty

SPOKANE, Wash. — With people having to spend more on necessities like food and record setting gas prices, they’re trying to save where they can. Many are saving the extra dime by eating out less, leaving local restaurants with empty tables during what should be their busiest hours.

Several local restaurants say they’ve seen fewer customers at their tables. Soulful Soups and Spirits on Madison Street has been mostly empty during lunch hour, typically their busier time.

Owner Aaron Addison says business has dropped dramatically over the past two months.

“We’re looking on the streets outside, it’s dead and there’s no cars. And it’s like, where is everybody at? For the past two months now, it’s been consistently dead, probably about down 50% from what we were doing just a couple months ago,” Addison said.

Last week, Addison posted on Facebook about the recent lack of customers and encouraging locals to take a trip for some soup. Customers responded in the comments, explaining they’re waiting for gas prices to drop before dining out again.

“Economics right now is definitely a big factor, especially with gas prices going up,” Addison said.

While taking in the loss of less customers, the restaurant also faces higher costs for supplies like cream and plastic lids for to-go cups.

In Browne’s Addition, Jewel of the North Neighborhood Gastropub, faces similar challenges. Co-owner Brooks Thomas says some regulars have told them they can’t dine as frequently as they’d like, to save on gas.

“They live in the North Side, the Valley and whatnot, and they have to think about, hey, I can’t drive there as much as I like to nowadays because gas is what, $5.35 average a gallon out here right now,” Thomas said.

Despite fewer customers, Soulful Soups and Spirits has not raised prices and doesn’t plan to anytime soon.

Jewel of the North Neighborhood Gastropub has added an extra dollar or two to some menu items to help offset rising costs.