Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for September 10, 2021

Good to see Meg smiling.

At least someone is happy about it.

Wonder what this is doing to Gus?

I remember a store that was going out of business for over a decade.

If they had leftover food maybe they donated to a food pantry

Maybe I’m just seeing what I want to see, but that last panel seems to suggest a sweet secret of some kind is hidden in what’s happening. Meg isn’t just smiling. There’s an intimate little conspiratorial thing going on between them, in the way that Gene seems to be waving her off or forestalling her, as if she wants Gene to tell Arlo good news and Gene is saying, “Not yet.” OK, maybe I’m reading too much into that hand gesture, the way he’s looking at her, and Meg herself. I guess we’ll find out soon enough. But it gives me a sweet sense of hope, and I’m gonna’ take it. :-)

The pandemic has been hard on mom and pop restaurants forcing many to close…it’s so bad the other day I saw a mafia Don getting take out from an Olive Garden. (Jay Leno)

The kids don’t seen to be all that upset and smiles in the last panel. They have a plan.

A lot of restaurants fail, in some places its over half.

I don’t think she knows.

Can this truly be the beginning of a new era?

A few days ago, a popular locally-owned restaurant was sold to a small but growing chain located in a nearby large city. The sellers made this comment for the newspaper: ""The way you make money in the restaurant business is to build them up, sell them and move on. We were fortunate enough to build a successful place."

Pretty well sums up what didn’t happen here, doesn’t it?

Why is she smiling in the last panel?

I see a floating restaurant in their future – The Bobbin’ Bistro.

The last panel may simply be indicating that, in spite of all that’s happening, there are more important things in life.

I like the little exchange of waves in the last photo. Nice touch, JJ.

If you remember the story arc — Meg’s egg business was doing better than the restaurant — so I see something happening with that — maybe expanding the farm — people still have to eat but they don’t have to go out to eat — you know what I mean?

Been in several businesses models that ran their course. We shifted our talents.

At least they didn’t put 20 years into it (apologies if that’s too soon…)

I wonder if this is the start of a “boomerang” kids arc as they find what they do next.

Back to the farm.

Does Shrimp know yet?

This will be a great story line!

Is some one in a family way and their not telling ?