Locals examine impact of increase in minimum wage
Local and corporate businesses are in the planning stages of dealing with the expected impact that Amendment 42 will have on their business.
Amendment 42, which passed in Tuesday’s elections, raises the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.85 an hour. For workers who regularly receive tips, like waiters and waitresses, the minimum wage increased from $2.13 an hour to $3.83 an hour.
“The impact of this amendment passing is significant from a payroll stance,” said Todd Majoris, the general manager of The Sink. “It’s something we’ve been keeping an eye on throughout the election.”
Majoris doesn’t expect these changes to affect the guests of the restaurant.
“Obviously there is price sensitivity we have to look at,” Majoris said. “We are still in the planning stages of how to deal with the change, but we will continue to focus on the guest experience. We will stay consistent with our food and see where we can cut on our finances.”
Majoris laughed and jokingly added that there may be some new expectations.
“We’ll just expect more out of our servers,” Majoris said.
Servers at The Sink seemed happy about the increase in pay.
“I think everybody on staff is happy because we will actually get a paycheck. The old rate was okay because we get penalty in tips, but it’s hard when people don’t tip,” said Kim Vessler, 25-year-old waitress at The Sink. “I don’t want this business to suffer because I care about this place, but it will be nice to be getting a paycheck.”
Corporate businesses had a slightly different view on the new amendment.
“We are corporately owned so the amendment really doesn’t affect us at all,” said Andrew Cosiett, bar manager of Applebee’s restaurant. “For server’s it’s almost a dollar increase so I think that’s great for our servers.”
The amendment will have an impact on servers, business owners and customers, but businesses are preparing for the changes and complying with the new laws.
“The voters spoke, and off we go,” Majoris said.
