When Kettering resident Kelley Andary looks back on her 22‑year tenure at the Blueberry Café, she recalls a time when diner traffic followed a reliable rhythm. “The pattern’s just been kind of non‑pattern,” she told WHIO‑TV reporter Ava Petrosky during a recent visit to the café’s Kettering location.
That rhythm has shifted dramatically over the past six years. Andary explained that the café now operates two sites—one in Kettering and another in nearby Bellbrook—employing roughly 65 staff members, about 70 % of whom work full‑time. “Our struggles probably would be to maintain my staff,” she said, noting that unpredictable customer flow makes it difficult to know whether to keep the full crew on hand or let some employees have a day off.
Staffing challenges amid a changing dining landscape
The University of Cincinnati’s recent study, which found that 60 % of restaurants in the city closed between 2008 and 2023, underscores the pressure local eateries face. While the Blueberry Café has survived, Andary admits that many peers have not. She cited recent closures in the Dayton region, including Smokey Bones, Rum Runners and Los Reyes, as evidence of a broader trend.
Andary believes dinner‑focused establishments are feeling the squeeze even more acutely than her breakfast‑and‑brunch‑centric café. “We have a dinner restaurant in Tipp City. They do okay, I mean, everybody’s doing okay, but normally we would see at least it be steady or a steady incline,” she said.
Rising costs force menu price adjustments
Inflation has added another layer of difficulty. “If we have to raise prices, it’s the last thing we want to do,” Andary explained, acknowledging that higher menu prices risk alienating price‑sensitive patrons. Yet the reality of increased food and labor costs leaves the café with little choice but to adjust its pricing structure.
Despite these hurdles, the Blueberry Café remains committed to serving the community. Each Veterans Day, the café offers a free meal to all veterans, a tradition Andary says reflects the owners’ gratitude for those who have served. “We’re excited to keep that tradition alive,” she added.
Looking ahead
Andary’s outlook is cautiously optimistic. She hopes that by staying adaptable—balancing staffing levels, managing price changes, and maintaining community‑focused initiatives—the Blueberry Café can continue to thrive amid an evolving dining environment.
Local business owners and residents alike are watching closely, hoping that the café’s experience will offer a roadmap for other establishments navigating similar challenges in the Dayton region.
Original reporting: WHIO-TV Dayton (local) — read the source article.
