Some former restaurant employees are looking for work outside the industry all together. Now, as some businesses seek to reopen for carryout service, employers are finding it tough to get employees to come back for less money than they would be receiving staying safe at home on unemployment. being laid off or having their hours reduced due to novel coronavirus. The hospitality industry, like every industry, has been hit hard, with the vast majority of food and beverage employees in the U.S.

While bars and restaurants are permitted to offer carryout and delivery service under state executive orders, Hopcat’s founder Mark Sellers stated during the temporary closure announcement that it wasn’t financially feasible to continue operating food service during the stay-at-home order. Hopcat laid off more than 1,000 employees in March due to the decline in business from coronavirus. Louis, Missouri location on March 16 after two years of business.

The Royal Oak restaurant, located at the heart of a busy Oakland County dining scene, was one of the most profitable locations in Hopcat’s collection of outposts.īarfly Ventures previously shut down its locations in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, and permanently closed its St. The three-story, 300-seat Hopcat location opened in downtown Royal Oak in May 2017 after an estimated $2.5 million renovation with 200 beer taps and a rooftop patio. We will be seeking a new location in Royal Oak so we can resume serving this awesome community in the future.

Unfortunately, after extensive negotiation with the landlord - with the goal of securing the location and employee jobs - we were unable to come to a reasonable agreement and the landlord has demanded we vacate the building. It is with heavy heart that we announce the closure of our HopCat - Royal Oak location. Reached by Eater, Hopcat’s founder Mark Sellers confirmed the decision in an emailed statement: The restaurant group hopes to reopen eventually in a different location. Multiple people familiar with the business confirmed to Eater that the restaurant would not be reopening at that address as previously planned. A little over two months after temporarily closing all of its restaurants, Michigan pub chain Hopcat is permanently closing its Royal Oak location.

Topcat bar