For fresh produce suppliers who watched their foodservice business languish as the economy staggered in recent years, Chicago restaurant owner Christopher Ala provides a source of optimism.
Ala said the past summer was the busiest in six years for his restaurant, Hemmingway’s Bistro, located about 10 miles west of downtown Chicago in the suburb of Oak Park. Revenue this year is on track to rise 15% from 2009 as the economy recovers and people dine out more, he said.
“We’re looking forward to that trend continuing into the new year,” Ala said. He said he’s scouting locations in Oak Park for a pizzeria he plans on opening next year.
Restaurants, hotels and other foodservice businesses in Chicago and the rest of the country are seeing signs of recovery after business suffered during the 2008-09 recession.