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The core issue lies in the economic viability of small restaurants and service providers amid rising costs. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson emphasized the need for compromise, citing inflation and industry fragility. However, opponents, including council member Janice Lewis George, warned that escalating labor expenses—combined with surging food prices—would make it nearly impossible for local eateries to survive.
Inflation has hit the restaurant industry hard, with costs for food, alcohol, and supplies soaring across the board. The added requirement to increase wages every two years compounds these problems, forcing many business owners to raise menu prices substantially, sometimes to levels that discourage patronage altogether.