Beloved Restaurant Closing Both Locations in Popular U.S. City
A popular restaurant in Reno, Nevada, is closing both of its locations by the end of July after 11 years in business in the city.
According to Jason Hidalgo of the Reno Gazette Journal, the Laughing Planet Cafe is closing its two stores in Reno, CEO Franz Spielvogel confirmed.
The location near the University of Nevada, Reno, will be closing after Thursday, June 26, and the Midtown location will close its doors after Thursday, July 31, a sign on the doors revealed.
Spielvogel mentioned multiple factors in the decision, including the retirement of local operator Tim Healion, which has made running the two locations more difficult.
“Tim was one of the key ingredients to our success in Reno,” Spielvogel said. “We found it very difficult to replace someone with such varied talents.”
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Spielvogel added that the "increase in occupancy costs, ingredient costs and a challenging labor market" also played a part. He noted that an impending rent increase at the Midtown location "was too high."
A total of 20 employees between the two locations will receive severance pay, the CEO said.
Spielvogel did leave the door open for the return of the popular restaurant to Reno in the future.
“You never know, we might return to Reno someday.” he said.
The Laughing Planet Cafe still has 12 locations throughout Oregon and Washington.
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