COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio has increased its minimum wage. Now tipped employees will be paid $5.25 an hour, and non-tipped employees will be paid $10.45 an hour.
At Lion Cub’s Cookies, all employees make more than the state's minimum wage. Owner Bradley Kaplan said the increase doesn’t affect his business.
“We are always looking at ways to get our staff as much money as possible. I think it’s a good thing and a long time coming in our industry,” Kaplan said of the minimum wage hike.
Kaplan said he doesn’t think the minimum wage is enough for a full-time employee. He said the new minimum wage shouldn’t have an affect on businesses.
“If costs are going to raise what can we do to keep some of that stuff down? Can we be more diligent in reducing waste?” said Kaplan.
At Parable Coffee in downtown Columbus, they start employees at $18 an hour. Co-owner Benjamin Willis said they regularly offer increases in wages for employees.
“We meet with our teammates for a bi-annual review when they are up for a pay increase from $1 to $2 an hour or a position change,” said Willis.
Willis feels the wage they start workers at is enough to sustain someone in Columbus. He doesn’t agree with the minimum wage, and that’s that number is why so many people change jobs in the service industry.
“The job is difficult. They are professionals, they are good at what they do. We train people to be good at what they do. It’s not a low scale job,” said Willis.
The Chamber of Commerce said just 1.3% of people nationwide make minimum wage. Chamber CEO Steve Stivers said Ohio’s minimum wage is higher than all of its bordering states.
“A lot of minimum wage is part-time, under 25 years old. While its important they get a raise and I applaud that but the best way to get a raise in this economy or any economy is to increase your skillset,” said Stivers.