Minimum Wage Hike Costing Restaurants

Augusta, GA—An increase in the minimum wage may increase headaches for some local businesses.

Small businesses across the nation, like Beamie’s on the River, in Augusta, are bracing for the change…which goes into effect Friday.

Congress passed the raise back in 2007, during better economic times. Some restaurants have reported having to reduce staff, or hours, due to the change. The manager at Beamie’s tells us they won’t have to do that…but an increase in the money they pay does mean they have to increase the money they take in.

Patrick Murrell, Beamie’s on the River bar manager: “We’ve raised some prices, our happy hour prices, some food items, but it’s good. The economy’s down, and I’m sure everyone around here will raise their prices, in some kind of way.”

Again, that change goes into effect Friday, and raises the minimum wage 70 cents, to $7.25 an hour.