Business & Tech

Restaurant Closing Betrayal of Family Values: Letter to the Editor

Max & Erma's closed all but three of its restaurants in Michigan without warning.

(Editor’s Note: The opinions reflected in this letter to the editor are those of the author.)

The recent and unexpected closing of all but three Max & Erma’s restaurants in Michigan was understandably a shock to the employees who reported for work.

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Interviews with employees indicated that all enjoyed what they referred to as the “family atmosphere” in each of the facilities. Unfortunately, that family value was not shared by American Blue Ribbon Holdings which owns and operates the restaurants.

The jolt of employees reporting for work and seeing a sign that their restaurant had been closed certainly is not indicative of how real families operate. Real families have open lines of communication and engage in problem solving discussions.

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The website heralds something called “Happiness Hours” where guests can enjoy a price reduction on specific items during certain times. Presumably, there will be no happiness for the staff or for those of us who enjoyed $5 burgers on Thursday and free cookies on Wednesday.

— Bill Kalmar, Lake Orion

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