ST. LOUIS – A local café that pleaded for financial help earlier this year is now stopping breakfast and lunch service on weekdays. They will continue to serve weekend brunch and operate the grocery store.
The last weekday breakfast and lunch at Local Harvest Cafe will be served Friday, Aug. 1.
In January, Local Harvest started an online fundraiser in an attempt to raise $120,000 by selling gift certificates. Anyone who purchased a gift certificate had 10 percent added to the amount. Punch cards were also sold.
Local Harvest met its fundraising goal in less than a week, but closed its downtown café in March.
According to a Facebook post made by Local Harvest, the restaurant has paid off tax obligations and made progress toward repaying vendor debts. They say a few months also they started looking at the remaining restaurant's strengths and weaknesses. Dinner service was stopped when it was determined dinner service was no longer profitable.
Despite overhauling the menu and streamlining operations, Local Harvest says business has continued to be slow, making it necessary to cut breakfast and lunch service during the week. The grocery store will increase the production of prepared foods for customers who want to grab a quick lunch.
Local Harvest says punch cards will continue to be honored during weekend brunch service and at the grocery store, but refunds will be available if the new schedule is inconvenient.
Though financial woes have continued to plague the café, Local Harvest says the catering side is thriving, and the grocery store is expanding its local selection.
You can read Local Harvest's full statement on Facebook.
