Applebee's, Salt+Smoke, Crushed Red

[Uncle John]

All three restaurants in West St. Louis County have announced they're closing.

The Applebee's in Ballwin closed on Fri, July 24th.

Salt + Smoke in Ellisville is closing on Sat, August 1st.

Crushed Red in Ballwin announced today that they're closing.

[Cajanek-Spielmacher]

This leads me to wonder if:

A) Rents are too high

B) Profitablity is lacking

C) People are finally starting to keep their money

D) All of the above

[Arvid Smeal]

You morons voted for high prices.

[Voldemort]

These places are pricing their food at unsustainable levels. Instead of making 30% profits, they could lower their prices and remain open. For example, we ate out yesterday. A mid-size soda cost $3.75. There isn't any way that this price is justified.

Tonight, we ordered out from a local family restaurant. I ordered nachos with pork. The cost was $11.00. Five people could not have eaten that serving. That is why this place is thriving.

[Dicktar2023]

All three restaurants in West St. Louis County have announced they're closing.

The Applebee's in Ballwin closed on Fri, July 24th.

Salt + Smoke in Ellisville is closing on Sat, August 1st.

Crushed Red in Ballwin announced today that they're closing.

Salt + Smoke on Hampton, too.

[abuxb]

The profit margin in restaurants in general is very thin.

[Voldemort]

The profit margin in restaurants in general is very thin.

I am aware of that and have family members who own BBQ places in Kentucky. There are several ways that restaurants can cut costs. My family has people clear their tables and has signs up throughout their stores asking patrons to help them cut costs in several ways, including clearing their tables, not wasting condiments, ... Also, my family closes every Monday and keeps shorter hours for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This enables them to cut staff and yet give the staff that they have decent work hours, with the exception of weekends when they work longer shifts.

[Uncle John]

This leads me to wonder if:

A) Rents are too high

B) Profitablity is lacking

C) People are finally starting to keep their money

D) All of the above

Landlord raised the rent by 30% at the Applebee's in Ballwin. They declined to renew their lease. Applebee's in Ballwin was there for 30 years. One employee had worked there for the entire 30 years. Not a bad run for the Applebee's in Ballwin!

[DJ Davis]

Dang, that Crushed Red location hasn’t even been open a year. It opened in August 2025.

I’m sad to see that Salt+Smoke go. I’d get food from time to time. But it definitely isn’t the quality of the original one in the Loop, at least back when it opened. That was one of the better BBQ meals I’ve had.

[BalotelliMassive]

Salt/Smoke expanded way too quickly....

I get that prices are high and I'm willing to pay if it's worth it...the last time I went to S&S I bought a pound of brisket for like $24 and when I weighed it in the box it was less than 2/3rds of a pound. They've been off my list since...

[BobbyOrr]

You morons voted for high prices.

Dumb people that follow CULTS and Criminal leadership should not be allowed to vote, ever again.