From the Editors
Posted by estiator at 11 November, at 11 : 52 AM Print
Sober, Divided, and Unique
Ιt’s a pretty strange time to be in business, and this issue reflects some things about the times in which we live. And so…
As these are sobering times, it’s time we took a look at how addiction has impacted the industry and the community. Contributor Michael Troumbakis does just this in “Food, Drugs, and the Family Secret,” exploring the degree with which the industry is plagued with substance abuse, and how it affects the families that deal with addiction within the business.
As these are divided times, contributor Michael Kaminer looks at how dining rooms are being re-fitted to accommodate for social distancing requirements while giving customers a greater sense of comfort when dining out. In “Divided We Dine” he visits with Steve Theofanous, a Chicago restaurateur who has launched an upstart company, Social D, to provide restaurants and other businesses with dividers.
As these are unique times, Estiator looks at how leveraging your uniqueness is key to competing against the chains. In “Making It as an Independent,” our Pizza column this month, Constantine Kolitsas argues for zigging when the chains zag. The point is not exclusively relevant for pizza operators, so we recommend you give it a good glance.
Finally, if 2020 goes down as the annus horribilis of the 21st century, it is still incumbent upon us to recognize whatever blessings have manifest themselves and give thanks for them. File the comment under the “things could always be worse” tab and move on, right? Here at Estiator, we are thankful for our readers, our advertising partners, and the people who wake up every morning and, in spite of the challenges, put their best foot forward to create income for themselves, their staff, and their community. And with that we send out a huge Thanksgiving hug.
The Editorial & Publishing Staff
