Oneonta Restaurant Is Simply Tasty, Simply Thai
By GAYANE TOROSYAN
ONEONTA
As global trade tensions rise, Simply Thai, a popular downtown restaurant in Oneonta, faces the challenge of maintaining its affordability and reputation in the face of increasing tariffs on Asian goods.
Owner Lily Karabinis said heightened competition at her supplier’s warehouse has made it difficult for local businesses to secure essential ingredients without driving up costs.
“A lot of people who have money or a big business buy it all,” she said. “For us, the inventory that we have, everything is going up. And we cannot raise the prices, because it would affect everybody.”
A distributor purchases authentic Thai food supplies from a New York City market and delivers them to Oneonta twice a week, Karabinis said. However, obtaining those supplies has become increasingly challenging as businesses stock up on inventory in bulk ahead of tariff-related price increases.
Despite economic challenges, Oneonta residents continue to pack the restaurant during lunch and dinner hours, Karabinis said. She noted that some patrons are exercising financial caution due to broader uncertainty.
“Money-wise, I think some people are holding back,” Karabinis said, explaining that fiscal concerns are making customers more hesitant to splurge on fine dining.
Still, demand for Thai cuisine has surged, a trend Karabinis attributes to HBO’s third season of “The White Lotus,” which highlighted the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia.
