Owner faces tough choice as financial pressures threaten Tri-State restaurant’s future
Sweets & Meats Barbecue faces uncertainty heading into the New Year
CINCINNATI (WXIX) — A popular Tri-State barbecue restaurant has closed all of its locations after financial challenges built up over the past year.
Sweets & Meats Barbecue opened its first dine-in location last year at the corner of Northern and Burnett avenues in Avondale, aiming to expand beyond its catering and vending services.
In a previous interview, owner Kristen Bailey said the restaurant’s first year fell short of expectations.
“We’re not making it here,” Bailey said.
Rising costs squeeze profit margins
Bailey said the business operated at a loss as food prices increased, labor costs went up, and tariffs drove equipment prices higher.
The company had served the Tri-State area for 12 years through catering and vending before launching the dine-in restaurant.
“I can’t pass those expenses on. That’s the biggest difference. I’m paying 3 times more but I’ve only gone up a dollar in 5 years. That’s not sustainable,” Bailey said.
Bailey added that higher costs have come alongside a drop in customer traffic.
She also pointed to the rollback of DEI programs under the Trump Administration as impacting business contracts.
“We had a lot of contracts with hospitals and universities and corporations that all had DEI goals, they don’t have those goals anymore so people that were inclined to support us and were loyal with recurring business year after year after year. That all went away,” Bailey said.
City ordinances add pressure
Bailey said new city ordinances placing stricter limits on food trucks affected sales she relied on to support the restaurant.
“It’s a slap in the face because I’m doing everything I can to survive and that’s taking one more thing away. If the restaurant’s not making money and now my food truck’s not making money where can I make money?” Bailey said.
Closure announced
On Sunday, the well-known Cincinnati staple announced it was shutting down all operations, including food trucks and catering.
“For the past 12 years, this business has been more than a livelihood — it has been our life’s work,” the company shared on social media. “We poured everything we had into serving this community, making countless sacrifices along the way in hopes of building something lasting and meaningful.”
The owners said the decision came due to an unpredictable market and a recent health diagnosis.
“The financial realities of expanding into a dine-in restaurant and the new convention center created a level of debt that our sales simply could not sustain,” the owners wrote. “Despite our efforts and reaching out for community support, we were unable to overcome those challenges.”
Before closing, all employees were informed and paid in full, according to the post.
They also said all clients have been contacted and fully refunded.
Thanks to the community
“Thank you to every customer who stood in line at our truck, trusted us with your events, dined with us, shared our story, or supported us in any way over the years,” the post read. “You allowed us to live out a dream longer than many ever get the chance to, and for that, we are deeply thankful.”
What’s next
The post leaves open the possibility of future ventures from the restaurant’s leadership.
“While this chapter is ending, there may still be more to come,” the post stated. “Anton Gaffney, our co-founder & executive chef, hopes to carry the legacy forward and is currently seeking investors to help make that vision a reality.”
Leave a Comment