Some small businesses in Maryland worry over minimum wage rise
CHEVY CHASE, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - Despite Governor Larry Hogan vetoing a bill to raise minimum wage in Maryland, lawmakers are moving forward with the increase anyway and, make no mistake, small business owners will feel the impact.
Stavros Manolakos - the owner of Manoli Canoli in Chevy Chase - says that the new mandatory minimum wage could lead to price increases on the menu, job losses for longtime employees, and, in a worst case scenario, a complete shutdown.'
By 2026, all 14 employees at Manoli Canoli must be paid at least $15 an hour.
The ambitious bill boosting minimum wage in Maryland places Manolakos in a bind.
"We're not saying it's not fair for the employees but it's the time, how quickly it went from what it was to what they want it to be. It almost puts us out of business. I don't know if we're going to exist in five to six years," Manolakos said.
The nearly 12-year-old, family run Greek and Italian restaurant seats 40 patrons at its sole location in Chevy Chase.
He says smaller businesses will be impacted more significantly.
"We don't have the same buying power with somebody that has five to 20 restaurants. They get a better pricing on their food and supplies," he said.