SHARE LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Restaurants across the Commonwealth are dealing with a new pandemic-era dilemma, operating under extremely short-staffed circumstances. What You Need To Know Kentucky restaurants are short staffed Many restaurants are struggling to hire employees back, after letting them go during the height of the pandemic The Kentucky Restaurant Association is pushing for a firm calendar date for reopening The Restaurant Association calls it a crisis, and is hoping a firm reopening date from the governor may ease the issues. People are finally frequenting The Raven Irish Pub in St. Matthews again. Business is on the upswing, fortunately, for owner Brendan McCarten. But it's meant more hours for McCarten and his limited staff. He's serving, cleaning, managing, and more.