Small businesses in Bristol brace for impact of Kinro announcementby Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)
News of potential layoffs at Kinro Incorporated in Bristol has Mary's Diner bracing for a dropoff in customers. (WSBT photo) ELKHART COUNTY — Kinro Incorporated in Bristol will downsize its operation beginning the first of next year. They filed notice with the state that 143 workers at the plant could be affected. That means more bad economic news for Elkhart County. Multimedia Kinro makes windows for homes and the RV industry. This news isn't sitting too well with this community of 1,500. It's more bad news that many small businesses don't want to hear. Mary's Diner is just up the road from the Kinro plant. Owner Lori Wuthrich said the eatery weathered another Bristol RV plant closing earlier this year. News that the nearby Kinro plant may be phasing out workers is bound to affect her business. "With the volume, I can tell it has been an impact on us. All in all our locals have been real good to us by eating here yet every day,” said Wuthrich. “So I can see a huge difference coming." In addition to this latest news of pending layoffs in this small community, the restaurant as well as other small businesses have felt the effect of recent high gas prices. "[With] the truck drivers and the mobile home haulers and a lot of people having to buy gas and [try to] make it, we're a lot slower than we have been," added waitress Carol Spangler. One of the regulars here is Judy Ecklebarger. She was laid off from her job in August. "There is a trickle-down effect with the economy. It’s hurting a lot of businesses. It’s a domino effect and we're really in trouble in this county,” said Ecklebarger. "Probably 10 to 15 of those people I know," added Drew Ecklebarger. "I feel for these people. It’s terrible. This economy has just gone down the drain." The restaurant owners say even though they've seen business drop, they're still turning a profit — just not as much as in the past. Most PopularMore Good Stuff |
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