You know something's wrong when you drive past Jolly Road's favorite watering hole and it's not bustling with business.

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Jollly and Dunckel really doesn't have a lot going on in the way of bars and restaurants.

Just being honest.

Our little corner of the world right off of 127 and 96 has a Mickey D's, Jersey Giant, Ming Dynasty (Chinese food). There's a Subway up the road at the Sonoco off the highway.

You can grab a quick bite at QD or Speedway.

And we recently lost BOTH a Burger King and Tim Horton in one full swoop.

So when you see that Leo's isn't open, the parking lot looks like this during their peak lunch time rush...

McConnell Adams TSM Lansing
McConnell Adams TSM Lansing
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And their sign says this...

McConnell Adams TSM Lansing
McConnell Adams TSM Lansing
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Yeah. We panicked a little.

What's going on at Leo's?

I remember for the longest they had signs out front that pretty much said YES, WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS. I saw a couple that made sure you knew that, right at the height of the pandemic during most of the shutdowns.

Covid-19 is still a major factor with how things are operating these days. When you see a sign that says "closed until further notice", your mind automatically jumps to "was there an outbreak at the restaurant or in the kitchen"?

That's not the case at all. But they are facing a problem that a lot of businesses are having to tackle now that they have been allowed to reopen.

McConnell Adams TSM Lansing
McConnell Adams TSM Lansing
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Staffing issues.

Leo's is closed because of staff shortages.  And they've been looking to hire people for a while.

Just like a lot of businesses up and down Jolly.

I stopped at Speedway Thursday afternoon. And there it was staring me in the face. I don't know how long it had been there of if they had just put it up a day or so ago.

NOW HIRING.

Read More: We Counted Help Wanted Signs On Jolly Road In Lansing

Here's hoping you're back open soon Leo's. I'm really missing your Pepper Jack Crab Soup and Michigan Cherry Salad (with chicken of course).

We don't need to lose another restaurant nor great locally owned business around here.

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