Local restaurants are confronting the problem of the rising costs of goods and raw materials, a devastating long-term impact that hasn't abated since the end of the pandemic.

When the government shutdown ended on November 13, many businesses heaved a sigh of relief. Restaurants, however, did not. Any troubles triggered by the shutdown were largely intangible additions to hefty challenges restauranteurs have faced since 2019: Inflation, volatility in the cost of ingredients, reduced customer traffic and the rise of an eat-at-home culture.