We wanted to give you, our loyal customers and friends, a quick heads up about our plans for the next few months:
When we started Isabel’s, we really intended to keep it open year-round. Although most businesses in Saugatuck make the majority (70%) of their profit in the summer, we felt strongly that we wanted to stay year-round for the locals who are here, and for our team to keep earning a paycheck.
These past two years have tested any business owner, especially those in the hospitality space (restaurants, B&Bs, etc). As customers, we have all felt the labor crunch at our favorite places — and as owners, it has been untenable. The nationwide issue of labor is magnified here, locally, due to an absolute lack of living accommodations for those who work in our restaurants, B&Bs, etc. Couple that with the cost of gas and the overabundance of jobs everywhere — you realize that no one from Grand Rapids or Holland needs to drive here to work in the summer, even though Saugatuck/Douglas hourly rates were, in many ways, higher than other West Michigan businesses. Those shortages forced overtime hours, prevented us from being able to open 7 days a week, and, most importantly, required us to rely on friends and family to make up the gaps in labor. Bottom line: our team is exhausted.
Compounding the labor issue was the unexpected rise in food costs, up over 30% from 2020 levels. We had a mission when we created Isabel’s to ensure that our selections were premium and homemade with the best ingredients. However, it is impossible to continue to pass these costs on to our customers and expect to maintain the level of business needed, especially in the cold winter months.
Lately, there have been a lot of rumors about what is happening with Isabel’s, so we want to set the record straight: We have NOT sold, and we have NOT given up on the brand, the building, or the Blue Star Corridor. We believe in all three and even invested in the lot next door to double down on our commitment to this community, and the promise we saw before COVID. That belief and that commitment are still there in all of us.
However, what we need is a bit of time to regroup, refresh, and reimagine a different business and operational model going forward. We don’t think we are alone in this exercise; meaning: we know that many businesses are going through the same type of soul-searching. Although it cuts to the core, because of the loyal team we have at Isabel’s, it is something we must do for the long-term sustainability of this endeavor moving forward. To that end, we will temporarily close our retail doors on September 25, 2022, but will keep our catering commitments through mid-October.
We have learned a great deal since we opened in 2020. We’ve certainly made some mistakes and had some missteps. We lived through a major theft, a car running through the building, and a near flood, but we survived. We are EXTREMELY proud of our team and their efforts. They received many, MANY accolades for their kindness and product knowledge. They worked hard while short-staffed, and they gave their all.
Isabel’s Market + Eatery is a destination that is highly regarded, as based on your reviews and feedback. We want to thank all of you for your patronage and support, as well as your love and understanding as we work through the next few months. We continue to believe that the seeds we planted at Isabel’s will continue to grow. And, as always, we remain, as we have been from the beginning of this journey, grateful.
We hope to see you soon! Stay healthy + well.
These past two years have tested any business owner, especially those in the hospitality space (restaurants, B&Bs, etc). As customers, we have all felt the labor crunch at our favorite places — and as owners, it has been untenable. The nationwide issue of labor is magnified here, locally, due to an absolute lack of living accommodations for those who work in our restaurants, B&Bs, etc. Couple that with the cost of gas and the overabundance of jobs everywhere — you realize that no one from Grand Rapids or Holland needs to drive here to work in the summer, even though Saugatuck/Douglas hourly rates were, in many ways, higher than other West Michigan businesses. Those shortages forced overtime hours, prevented us from being able to open 7 days a week, and, most importantly, required us to rely on friends and family to make up the gaps in labor. Bottom line: our team is exhausted.
Compounding the labor issue was the unexpected rise in food costs, up over 30% from 2020 levels. We had a mission when we created Isabel’s to ensure that our selections were premium and homemade with the best ingredients. However, it is impossible to continue to pass these costs on to our customers and expect to maintain the level of business needed, especially in the cold winter months.
Lately, there have been a lot of rumors about what is happening with Isabel’s, so we want to set the record straight: We have NOT sold, and we have NOT given up on the brand, the building, or the Blue Star Corridor. We believe in all three and even invested in the lot next door to double down on our commitment to this community, and the promise we saw before COVID. That belief and that commitment are still there in all of us.
However, what we need is a bit of time to regroup, refresh, and reimagine a different business and operational model going forward. We don’t think we are alone in this exercise; meaning: we know that many businesses are going through the same type of soul-searching. Although it cuts to the core, because of the loyal team we have at Isabel’s, it is something we must do for the long-term sustainability of this endeavor moving forward. To that end, we will temporarily close our retail doors on September 25, 2022, but will keep our catering commitments through mid-October.
We have learned a great deal since we opened in 2020. We’ve certainly made some mistakes and had some missteps. We lived through a major theft, a car running through the building, and a near flood, but we survived. We are EXTREMELY proud of our team and their efforts. They received many, MANY accolades for their kindness and product knowledge. They worked hard while short-staffed, and they gave their all.
Isabel’s Market + Eatery is a destination that is highly regarded, as based on your reviews and feedback. We want to thank all of you for your patronage and support, as well as your love and understanding as we work through the next few months. We continue to believe that the seeds we planted at Isabel’s will continue to grow. And, as always, we remain, as we have been from the beginning of this journey, grateful.
We hope to see you soon! Stay healthy + well.
