LEXINGTON, Ky. — The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says there are 11 million jobs open in the United States right now. The latest data estimates 142,000 jobs are open in Kentucky. It's leaving restaurants and businesses in Lexington still feeling a worker shortage.
Sav’s Restaurant is owned by Mamadou “Sav” Savane, a passionate business owner who has operated his well known Lexington restaurant for 13 years. He serves up West African cuisine, has been facing a worker shortage since the pandemic started just like many other businesses and restaurants in Lexington. In Oct., Savane felt the worker shortage the most, it’s when he reduced his hours of operation to five days and week and resorted to serving only dinner.
“Everyday I have people come in and say. 'Oh you’re not open?' I say oh yeah we’re open during the evenings,” said Savane.
Savane is still relying on Irene Muala because she’s still the only full-time employee at Sav’s Restaurant. The two come in hours before dinner to prepare the lamb ragu and other West African delicacies.
“It’s very very precious, we mix this if you like bread, brown rice or white,” said Muala.
The worker shortage Savane is facing hasn’t changed one bit since the first time Spectrum News 1 interviewed him and neither has the number of open positions across the country. Savane's convinced people just have a new mindset when it comes to working.
“This pandemic I believe has made a lot of people change or have a different perspective in life. I really don’t want to blame people too much but I really want to have workers,” said Savane.
Savane needs 8-10 additional employees to be able to resume lunch at his restaurant, without the additional help he's had to put his focus on winterizing his outdoor seating for the time being. Savane renovated a heated outdoor space with custom wood tables, it’s something that has cost him thousands of dollars but one that he knows customers will be thankful for.
“I was talking with my neighbor who’s an architect, he’s the one who designed this outside space for me so I could have more outdoor seating. As the pandemic goes on people are not comfortable sitting inside the restaurant,” said Savane.
On Tuesday the Lexington Urban County Council approved a plan to continue outdoor patio, sidewalk, green spaces and parking lot seating for the new year. The city is hoping it will help businesses financially recover from the pandemic.
“If tomorrow you think about somebody else that has a small business, go support them. We need your support for the time being and then hopefully next year we hope and pray things will be different," said Savane.
Businesses in Lexington that want to participate in outdoor seating will be instructed to apply for permits sometime in the new year. Savane says he’s hopeful the new year will bring more people into jobs at his business and in Lexington.