LITTLE RIVER, SC (WMBF) - A Little River bar and restaurant is fighting to stay open after 12 years in business.
Rising food costs, inflation, and a liquor liability insurance bill are adding pressure on the business.
Star Tavern owner Ron Johnson said he’s hoping the business can make it to Christmas.
Johnson said the biggest issue is that everything costs more, from food to gas. He said people have less money to spend and are not going out as much.
“We’re living week to week, and you know it’s a terrible thing,” Johnson said. “I’ve got some of the finest bartenders in the world, and bartenders make good money because they’re basically paid by tips. But kitchen costs are real high, food costs are real high, utilities are real high, gas is real high, it’s impacting everybody.”
Johnson said rising food prices, roadwork along U.S. 17 and slower sales are also taking a toll on the business.
Johnson said one new expense hitting the business especially hard is liquor liability insurance. He said bars in South Carolina did not always have to carry the coverage, but his policy cost him more than $30,000 last year.
“Last year it went up to $35,000,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he is not selling enough beer to cover that bill.
Star Tavern is not alone in facing financial pressure. Other local spots, including Thonry’s, Magnolia’s on 26th, Voodoo Brewing Company and MOD Pizza, have all closed.
When Johnson first opened Star Tavern, his goal was to give local musicians a stage to play on.
“I’ve got people come out here daily almost; they love the place, but you know, that has an impact on them financially too,” Johnson said.
Johnson said Star Tavern is trying to implement a cover charge.
“We’re trying to implement a cover charge. There’s been a lot of support for that, but locals don’t seem to want it,” Johnson said. “We’re just trying to provide a decent living, dignity, quality, to the music, musicians, and to the community.”
“I don’t know what the answer is, I really don’t. I just need to figure out, you know, is the value of what we do appreciated and wanted, and how do we make it last and stay,” Johnson said. “The ultimate thing, the information I get from a lot of people I don’t even know, especially through Facebook, is ‘yes, we love it, we value it, we want you to keep doing it.”
Johnson said he is determined to keep Star Tavern and the local music scene it helped build going.
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