Elske restaurant cites staffing shortages as cause for temporary closure
After struggling through the most severe stretches of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago restaurants finally have the chance to recoup losses and rebuild — but staffing challenges have some taking a break instead.
Among them are Elske (1350 W. Randolph St.), the acclaimed, intimate West Loop project from Anna and David Posey.
In a message posted on Instagram on Sunday, the couple announced that they would temporarily close the restaurant because of staffing issues.
The Poseys write they were “unable to execute Elske at the level of service and hospitality we strive to uphold.” The message also noted they want to use the time to focus on “how to become more sustainable and successful in this new chapter of the service industry.”
Elske certainly isn’t alone in dealing staffing issues. While restaurants are seeing a surge in customers hungry to eat out after the lessening of pandemic restrictions, many are finding it hard to hire enough workers.
To help, some restaurants have raised hourly wages and offered signing bonuses, but they are still having a hard time keeping enough staff. To add to the issues, the cost of some ingredients has soared.
Anna Posey declined to comment further on the closing Monday, except to note she and David wanted to use the time “to focus on how to return as a more sustainable restaurant.”
Elske opened in late 2016 to widespread praise. Former Tribune critic Phil Vettel awarded it three stars, applauding the restaurant for “its highly creative, labor-intensive dishes, contrasted by an open dining room whose clean lines are anything but complicated.”
nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com
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