After a year and a half in business, Elwoods’ Shack Park Avenue at 4040 Park Avenue closed today, April 25th.
“Just not making a profit,” says owner Tim Bednarski. “I lost my butt. We’re doing decent sales. We’re just not making a profit like we used to. I’ve been doing this 45 years, and I can’t make a profit.”
Park Avenue, which includes a spinet piano and antiques Bednarksi has collected, “does a thriving business, but my debt was so great. I was determined to make it work.”
He says, “Utilities are too much. Last year they went up so much.”
As for his original Elwood’s Shack location at 4523 Summer Avenue, Bednarski says, “Summer is hanging in there. I’m going to try to keep it. Make it work. I need all the help I can get.”
But, Bednarksi says, “It’s just that everything costs so much.” He adds, “I can’t double my prices. I can’t charge $26 for a one patty bacon cheeseburger. I’ve raised my prices three times in the last year and it’s still not enough.”
Bednarski still gets customers at his Summer location. But, he says, “We’re busy, but we’re never busy enough.”