‘Hanging on by a thread’: Local restaurant asks for customer support

There aren’t as many burgers on the grill or milkshakes in the glasses at The Mercury Cafe & Grill these days.

Business at the Cathedral-area diner is suffering nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s down 65 to 70 per cent, according to owner Chris Plumb.

“I’m in trouble,” Plumb said. “We’re just right now week to week, hoping that I don’t have an extraordinarily bad week because that’ll basically end it.”

On Wednesday morning, just before lunch, there were only a few people sitting in the restaurant; most of the bright red booths and stools at the counter were empty.

Plumb said things always slow down in January but he said it has never been this bad, and it’s worse now for him than it has been during the pandemic.

He said he has always been able to put away money ahead of January to get through the slow period, but that’s hard to do when you don’t have enough business leading up to it.

Plumb said he has been spending all his time basically making sure he has enough money to pay his 17 employees. He said he personally hasn’t taken a paycheque in two years.

Plumb said he has been getting all the help he can to keep open.

“I’ve exhausted every option that I have. I’ve exhausted bank loans, government help — pretty much every option I’ve had, including personal loans from friends and family,” Plumb said.

He took advantage of the subsidies while he could get them, mentioning the Saskatchewan government could have done a bit more.

Compared to other provinces, Plumb said he’s happy the restaurant isn’t forced to be closed.

“I’m thankful for that. I think it’s a good thing because it’s showing that I think we’re just kind of sick of it. I think we just sort of want this to all be over,” said Plumb.

Chris Plumb, owner of The Mercury Cafe & Grill, said business is way down and the restaurant is just hanging on. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

If it can make it that long, this spring, The Mercury will have been open for 12 years.

“I’ve just got to keep pushing. I’ve got to do everything. I’ve got to exhaust every single thing before I’ve finally got to call it quits,” he said. “I don’t want that to happen. I want to make sure that we’re still in business.”

To that end, on Tuesday, Plumb posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page:

“The Mercury Cafe is hanging on by a thread. The pandemic has taken its toll on the Mercury Cafe as it has many other small businesses. We need your support now more than ever. If you would like to help us out and want a delicious homemade meal in a friendly and clean environment please come into the Mercury Cafe for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for the rest of your life. Just kidding, but we do really need your help.”

In an interview, he called it a plea to his customers.

“That’s who I’ve depended on for 12 years and I need their support more than ever right now — even if it’s a Band-Aid to get me through this next month or month and a half,” said Plumb.

Plumb hopes that once the province gets into March, the pandemic will start to go away and business will get better.

“Hopefully, things will stay better this time,” said Plumb.