HARD TIMES COME TO POPULAR RESTAURANT

A frequent patron was surprised to see only one other party at a popular ethnic restaurant which normally is half full even during weekdays and normally enjoys a large evening take out business.

By the time the first course arrived, he and his son were the only customers.

Exchanging information with the proprietor while settling the bill, he learned that business is off by 60% not only at this normally thriving establishment but also at similar restaurants. In exchange, the patron confided that three of his company's four hotels were doing only half the business of previous years and the other was off 20%.

Both agreed that they had never experienced such a sharp drop off in business. If indeed "misery loves company," that was about the only comfort they could offer one another.