In the post-Watergate recession in the late 1970s, Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts lost over 30% of their local restaurants. The current economic downturn appears to be taking a similar toll. The latest casualty is the historic Al Mac's Diner on President Avenue in Fall River. It has, according to its owner, closed for good after 102 years of continuous operation. That a diner that survived the Great Depression would fall in today's economy should be a sobering enough thought. Indeed, the owner cites rising costs and rising licensing fees as the culprit. Locals tell a somewhat different story, however. Folks that I spoke to describe a loss of food quality starting about three years ago, and they attribute that loss of quality to the demise of the diner. Reviews on Yelp would seem to confirm that. The diner received a mere 2 1/2 star rating on Yelp and most of the reviews were increasingly negative. Diners as a whole are doing fairly well at the moment, and the location of Al Mac's couldn't be better. One does have to conclude that it's more than a struggling economy plaguing this historic landmark.
Post processing started in Topaz Adjust. I applied a brilliant warm filter, and then played with the sliders a bit to bring out the rich colors and contrast on the front of the building. Back in PSE, I applied a slight levels adjustment, and then applied a deep blue gradient map in soft light blend mode just to the sky. That last was to improve contrast between the sky and clouds.
I think food quality and service have everything to do with a restaurants success... hopefully a new owner will breathe new life back into the place with some great food... like on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'! Love your point of view... your photo may end up documenting history, but hopefully history will just get a fresh start!
