Ironton’s Papa John’s is the latest in a string of eateries they have gone to join that big restaurant chain in the sky.

With little fan fair and virtually no public announcement, the popular pizza place appears to have closed its doors last week.

This marks another sad day for the city that has seen two restaurants close in as many weeks.

Austyn’s in the historic railroad depot in downtown closed a couple weeks ago as the absentee owner works to find a buyer to take over for him.

These come on the heels of a variety of independently operated restaurants that have come and gone in the county over the years such as Rick’s Bar-B-Que and Porky’s.

Although a variety of different factors contribute to these closings, this begs the question: What exactly do Ironton and Lawrence County residents want to eat? What do they see as being on the menu of success?

Now is time for the public conversation to really pick up and economic development officials need to lead the way.

The community has to make its voice heard. It doesn’t matter what restaurants officials attract or entrepreneurs develop, if the consumers won’t support them. Restaurants are the toughest new businesses to open, with a staggering number closing within the first year.

But, the bottom line is we all eat.

The problem that must be solved is what exactly is it that we want on the plate .

Our hopes have to be grounded in reality.

It isn’t likely that a Cracker Barrel is going to locate here. I wouldn’t hold your breath for a Red Lobster.

Still, major restaurant franchises analyze markets and make decisions based on demand.

The battle doesn’t end after a restaurant comes here.

In fact, that might just be the beginning.

Each of us, as residents who want to have dining destinations in our community, have to make a commitment to do more to support local restaurants.

Many Ohioans are going out to eat but the problem is we are going across the river into Kentucky and West Virginia far too often.

Drive through the parking lots of any of those establishments and count Ohio license plates.

Of course, there may be more choices there but we must make a conscience effort to support the establishments that are in our communities, paying our taxes and employing our neighbors.

Let’s say the average family goes out to a sit-down dinner three times a month.

If even one of those was in a local restaurant, it would make a difference. And maybe some months two out of three dinners could be here.

Lawrence County has some good dining dishes and a few more are in the works. But all will spoil if we just leave them sitting out on their own.

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Tribune. To reach him, call (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.com.