Lake Tahoe's iconic Riva Grill has shut its doors, becoming the latest casualty of a deepening crisis in the resort region. The closure highlights the struggle local businesses face as soaring property prices and a depleted workforce take their toll.
The pandemic triggered an influx of remote workers and second-home buyers, driving median home prices in the basin from $345,000 in 2012 to $950,000 in 2021. Rents skyrocketed, pushing long-term residents east to more affordable cities like Reno and Carson City.
Local businesses, already short-staffed, have been forced to reduce hours or close entirely. Ski resorts have turned to campgrounds and tiny homes to house workers. The Riva Grill, a lakeside institution, could not withstand the pressures.
“It’s been getting progressively worse,” said lifelong resident Clay Kuecker. “The market is so tight and the demand is so high [sellers] get whatever they want.” The region's population of just 56,000 supports 15 million annual visitors, but many of those workers can no longer afford to live there.
The crisis has sparked debate over who Lake Tahoe is for. “The only way to get our community back is to build housing for people who are the backbone of our economy: the tourism workers,” said Heidi Hill Drum of the Tahoe Prosperity Center. “We’re not helping them right now – not enough.”
