“Everything looked good on paper. Then everything changed in the economy,” said Baby Backs Restaurant co-owner Stephen Burko. The restaurant’s management announced the impending closure on social media Friday, noting it was the “right decision in these economic times.” According to Burko, ingredient costs have risen to a point he never expected when the couple took over the restaurant’s lease just eight months ago. “The lettuce, the tomatoes, everything we need for the sides, our salad, the spaghetti — everything goes up in price, so that’s where we struggle,” Burko said. But the current situation with Windsor’s auto sector also plays a role in management’s decision to leave, Burko added. That’s because the restaurant is located on Pillette Road, about a five-minute drive from the Windsor Assembly Plant (WAP), which has had frequent shutdowns in recent months. Baby Backs Restaurant is also a five minute drive from the Syncreon feed plant. On Thursday, Stellandis confirmed to CTV News that work currently being done inside the Syncreon plant for Windsor assembly will be moved from the feeder plant and moved inside the WAP. “That’s another reason why we didn’t want to raise our prices, because we get a lot of customers from there,” Burko said, adding that the restaurant has already tried to raise its prices slightly, but doesn’t want to risk “to overestimate our demographics. “ “With gas prices going up, now people have less money to spend. We’re seeing that our revenue isn’t as good as it was.” Economic experts have previously said that the rate of inflation has soared to the highest level in nearly seven decades. Part of the increase includes food costs that are up about 10 percent, compared to last year. Burko says he had big plans for the restaurant, including painting the restaurant and renovating the entrance, all while being able to employ five staff members. But with their landlord allowing the couple to leave their one-year lease early, they now plan to sell everything they can to try and recoup their money. “My wife and I both have full-time jobs and we have to use this money to try to keep it open. We can’t do it anymore,” Burko said, adding that he is just five years away from retirement. “I’ve worked too hard for too many years. This has been a dream and, unfortunately, it has to come to an end.” The restaurant will serve its last meal under current ownership on July 31.
