Small businesses struggle to fill empty positions as economy bounces back and last updated 2021-05-28 13:42:08-04 As people return to work after historic unemployment during the pandemic, some businesses struggle to hire, leaving small businesses in an especially tough spot. âThe past 15 months or however long it's been has been incredibly surreal,â Beth Gruitch, Co-owner of Crafted Concepts restaurant group, said. âIt's been this up and down of hiring and laying off.â Now -- this restaurant is buzzing with customers again. âWeâre busy. People want to go out; they are vaccinated,â she said. But Gruitch is having trouble hiring at all the restaurants that are part of the group. âWeâre having a shortage of staff. Thereâs like almost 100 job postings, and the amount of people that are here to work in the hospitality industry is very dismal,â she said, explaining that sheâs never seen it this bad. âTo the point where people aren't showing up for interviews or callbacks.â