Ah, Labor Day weekend. The gateway to fall and three glorious days of relaxation before we all have to take life seriously again. I’ve eaten my fill of fun, and now I must get serious. At least that is how I try to rationalize it, and this renewed dedication reminds me of certain and inevitable fall events with which we are all quite familiar.



For those of you with school age children, your vacation is just beginning. You know it’s true. I’ve been there. I know. You love your kids, but enough is enough already. Three months of balancing work and daycare or maybe one parent is fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom or dad. You are the ones that REALLY need the fall vacation to start. (Hey kid, don’t let the front door hit you on the way to the bus.)



One back-to-school fall tradition is the Puyallup Fair. When I was little, I couldn’t wait to get my free ticket to Fair Day. Each school in the area had its designated Fair Day along with several other schools, but it still was pretty special to see tons of your friends at the fair. It’s a shame, but I don’t think they give free admission tickets or half days off to the schools anymore. Just one more perk taken away from our stellar public school system, and Lord knows we wouldn’t want our kids to take time away from studying for the precious WASL exam.



So, what does any of this have to do with the restaurant business? There is always a measurable downturn in business during the month of September, and I have a few theories why. Every year I have this internal battle over “Doin’ the Puyallup.” While I long for an onion burger or thrilling roller coaster ride, I believe The Fair puts a serious dent in my restaurant revenues. I know it sounds weird, but it’s true. Ask any restaurant owner around here and most will tell you that their revenues drop during the 17 days of The Fair.



My theory is that The Fair is a cash-only event. No debit or credit cards are accepted unless you buy a hot tub or something. A family of four, for example, would pay $10 a piece for admission ($8 for kids), the two kids want Dizzy Passes at $25 a piece, and let’s say each family member spends $15 on food (don’t forget the scones). There are also opportunities to play carnival games, buy real chameleons that pin to your shirt (please don’t) and other wacky fair swag. So you figure this family of four could easily spend up to $300 in one day, and that’s all fat cash.



Another theory for the revenue downturn during this period could be family cocooning. I am again referring to kids going back to school and parents acclimating to this yearly upheaval. Kids are bummed and parents are elated, so it’s time for the family to turn inward and have a big Kumbaya moment during the month of September. Stay home, make popcorn, play a board game and bond. Personally, all the more reason to get out and have a nice dinner or pint at the neighborhood pub.



How does a restaurant compete with The Fair? Offer deep fried Snickers and elephant ears? Oh, and pipe in that smell. There’s nothing better than the fragrant combination of onion burgers and horse crap. It’s all quite heavenly to me. I believe we in the restaurant biz just have to ride it out. Go on vacation! Send your staff on vacation. Perhaps suck it up and go to The Fair yourself.



Eat out Tacoma (especially Sept. 7th through the 23rd). We need your love.



Sandee Glib has worked in the restaurant and hospitality industry for more than 12 years as a server, bartender, cook and owner. Her opinions are expressly her own and she is always right.