Remember back when most restaurants were open seven days a week?

Yeah, good times.

RELATED: Treat Yourself to the Best Reviewed Restaurants in Lansing

Why the change, anyway? Why does it seem like so many restaurants are closed on Mondays?

Why Are So Many Restaurants Closed on Mondays?

You can blame COVID-19 for a lot of it.

1240 WJIM AM logo
Get our free mobile app

When work schedules were disrupted by the pandemic, it upended the entire "dining out" dynamic. Suddenly, more people than ever were working from home. Many restaurants that made their livings largely on lunch business were snuffed out. The ones that survived had to adapt to a new reality, as customer demand for their restaurants had shifted from what they were accustomed to.

Courtesy of Kristen Matthews TSM Lansing
A goodbye note to customers following the closing of YaYa's Flame Broiled Chicken in Lansing in 2023. Courtesy of Kristen Matthews TSM Lansing
loading...

For many restaurants, it simply boils down to the cost of doing business. Are they losing money by staying open on a low-demand day like Monday? Restaurant Business recommends that restaurant owners focus on the days of the week that are successful for them.

In addition to that, almost every business these days - restaurants included - is running on a minimum amount of staff. According to The Daily Meal, not being open on Mondays helps with staff retention at a lot of dining establishments.

Monday closure gives the team a break and ensures they report to work Tuesday fully prepared to serve customers to the best of their ability. In addition to carefully planning off days, dining establishments can also take other steps to increase their profits.

 

Lansing Restaurants That Are Open on Mondays

From a customer's standpoint, finding a local restaurant that's open on Monday can sometimes present a challenge. A lot of our favorite local places to grab a bite aren't open.

We thought we'd throw together a list of some of our favorite non-chain restaurants that are open on Mondays around Lansing, Michigan.

Non-Chain Lansing Restaurants That Are Open on Mondays

It wasn't so long ago that most restaurants were open seven days a week. Ever since COVID, a lot of places have taken to closing on Mondays - but not everyone. Here are 21 Lansing-area non-chain restaurants that are actually still open on Monday. (There are others that may not be included on this list.)

Gallery Credit: JR

Lansing Area Bars and Restaurants That Serve Amazing Mocktails

Whether you are a pregnant person, a sober person, an underage person, or just a person who doesn't feel like drinking alcohol at the moment, there's got to be something out there for us, right? That's when I discovered the beauty of a mocktail. If you don't drink alcohol, for whatever reason, there are some fantastic restaurants and bars in Lansing that serve up more than pop and lemonade. Check out these spots that have amazing mocktails. 

Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews