Staff Notes

A Changing Climate – No, Really. Have You Been Outside Lately?!

a note from the associate editor

Rebecca Mennecke, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

A CHANGING CLIMATE AMID A CHANGING CLIMATE. As this heat wave has been steamrolling through Wisconsin, restaurant owners are pivoting to some new changes. In our latest issue of Volume One, read more about the changing climate – amid a changing climate.
A CHANGING CLIMATE AMID A CHANGING CLIMATE. As this heat wave has been steamrolling through Wisconsin, restaurant owners are pivoting to some new changes. In our latest issue of Volume One, read more about the changing climate – amid a changing climate.

The world is constantly changing, and no one knows this quite like local restauranteurs. Over the past year and a half, these persevering individuals have been through heck and tarnation to continue to feed their communities – and to survive at all. Many restaurant owners in particular have found it near impossible to pivot to new means of serving good eats to our community – and some have not made it through.

Despite all the changes to the world (and to the weather – have you stepped outside lately? This heat wave has been – as the glass animals would say – Faking me out), the world keeps turning. 

Rebecca Mennecke

Associate editor

However, some restaurants are attempting new adaptations to new times: A handful of Eau Claire establishments have now re-opened with higher menu prices and notices that tipping is effectively optional. Restaurateurs say the higher prices (or service fees) have been put in place to ensure employees are paid fairly. The move has drawn a mixed reaction from the Eau Claire community and beyond. You can read Tom Giffey’s full feature here

Despite all the changes to the world (and to the weather – have you stepped outside lately? This heat wave has been – as the Glass Animals would say – faking me out), the world keeps turning. Food trucks slice up good eats, summer music festivals provide good beats, and beach chairs make for good seats. Happy summer!