Just eight months into owning his Spartanburg fine dining restaurant, Two Samuels, Kevin Ramsey is being forced to vacate the building.
Despite adding service time and opening up a mobile-friendly kitchen option, Ramsey faced insurmountable lease costs. He said the landlord required $60,000, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, he was bringing in less than $25,000 in revenue.
"I had a decision to make, either borrowing more funds, putting us more into debt and continuing with debt we have or not borrowing," Ramsey said. "I'm disappointed that this couldn’t become what I wanted it to be.”
Two Samuels will serve its final meal Sunday. Ramsey said the landlord would forgive his outstanding debt, making it possible to build capital for another restaurant down the road.