Seattle businesses begin to close after minimum wage increase
Some Seattle businesses are closing their doors after the city’s minimum wage increased 20% on January 1st.
Previously, a company could pay its workers $17.25 per hour as long as they made at least $2.72 in medical benefits or tips. On January 1st, however, a new local ordinance took effect requiring businesses to pay their workers at least $20.76. The new minimum wage is $4 more than Washington’s.
Corina Luckenbach, a far-Left extremist who owns Bebop Waffle Shop, said she is closing her restaurant’s doors because of the minimum wage, which she continues to support.
“I hate to close a safe space for queer people at this time but the money just isn’t there after the minimum wage increase (which I fully support),” Luckenbach said in an Instagram post. She explained to KCPQ-TV: “This is financially just not going to make sense anymore. Because, just for me, the increase would cost me $32,000 more dollars a year.”
‘Not everyone is Amazon’
The Washington Hospitality Association says Seattle stands to suffer a 5%-8% increase this year in restaurant closures over the high labor costs, according to Newsweek. “It’s just not sustainable,” said Washington Hospitality Association President and CEO Anthony Anton.
Others, however, expressed their enthusiasm for the new law.
“Yesterday, Seattle’s minimum wage officially rose to $20.76 per hour — one of the highest minimum wages in the country!” crowed Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) on X Friday. “I’m so proud to represent a city that puts workers first, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure we finally pass a minimum wage increase nationwide.”
Many users responded to the congresswoman by pointing out that a minimum wage increase only serves to cripple small businesses and reduces competition for larger corporations.
“A lot of businesses have to close their doors now because not everyone is Amazon,” wrote one user.
Others predicted that businesses will not only be forced to increase their prices but will also replace human labor with machines like self-checkout kiosks and robotic servers.
