If, like Anita Campbell of Small Business Trends, you’ve got a case of “bad economic news fatigue,” she’s got a treatment: optimism.  Specifically, she recommends checking out a biography of the fantastically successful entrepreneur and perpetual optimist, Andrew Carnegie.

To top off your new reading material, I’d like to offer a couple of reasons to be optimistic.  First, people have NOT stopped dining out.  Instead, consumers are looking for more value in their dining dollars.  An article at Forbes.com has several good suggestions for restaurateurs looking to keep their regulars while attracting new clientele.  My favorite idea: “Modest offerings--delivered in real time by a charming and professional wait staff (as opposed to a promotional coupon)--drive home the value.”  When dining out seems like an indulgence, it really needs to feel like a treat—and that doesn’t necessarily mean freebees or big discounts so much as good service and attention to detail.  Appropriately, the last suggestion of the article is to “keep your spirits up.”  (I think Ms. Campbell would approve.)

Second, besides getting great prices on all kinds of restaurant equipment and supplies everyday, joining Serv-U’s email list is FREE and can save your restaurant extra money.  Each email we send you includes special email-only deals.  And if you do make a purchase, you’ll get an extra $5.00 off your next purchase of $75.00 or more when you write a product review.  That lines up perfectly with Forbes’s tip #6: teaming up with vendors to cut costs.  Let Serv-U help you save on your next bar or restaurant supply purchase!