It’s been a tough week for restaurants and bars in Northern Berrien County—several have abruptly closed or announced plans to close soon. The latest restaurant to drop out of the race is ‘Fire & Ice Pizzeria & Creamery’ on Niles Road, South of Exit 27, St. Joseph. Fire & Ice has been a favorite spot for families, group gatherings and pizza parties.
The ‘culprit’ once again seems to be a lack of available labor and staffing issues that couldn’t be overcome.
Fire & Ice broke the news to their fans in a Facebook post Thursday night:
This isn’t easy to announce, but it’s time. We have decided to close Fire & Ice, most likely indefinitely. Whether or not we re-open next summer is still unknown. We are closing for many reasons, but the most pressing reason is currently a staffing issue.
Our last day will be this Sunday, Aug 20, 2023. Our college student employees are returning to school and our HS employees are starting up sports and there just isn’t enough help to make it to the end of summer.
Please join us this Sunday for one last open jam night and one last night to get you some Fire & Ice Pizza and Ice Cream!!
PS – The building will be available for rental for private events / parties etc more info on that coming soon. We might keep the ice cream around for private parties and catering… that is still TBD.
PSS – if you have a private party or catering event already on the books, please do not worry, we will fulfill all commitments.
Earlier this week, a new English pub and restaurant in Baroda, Rose & Crown, abruptly closed its doors “indefinitely”, according to a brief notice. While there was no official explanation, it’s generally assumed that staffing issues, both in availability and performance, were at least partially to blame for the Rose & Crown shutdown.
Patrons of the River’s Edge Bar, downtown Benton Harbor, also learned this week their favorite spot would shut down August 20. The building and site were sold to a developer who has confirmed it will no longer be a bar. However, it’s not clear yet what will be built on the River’s Edgbe site, which includes boat dock access on the old Benton Harbor ‘Ship Canal’, just off the St. Joseph River. The location is directly across the street from Whirlpool’s North American headquarters complex at Riverview Drive and Main Street.
Two other popular casual dining and drinking spots are also shut down for renovation. However, they are expected to reopen soon: Buffalo Wild Wings on Niles Avenue in St. Joseph and The North Shore Inn at Higman Park Road and North Shore in Benton Harbor both have construction crews working onsite.
