Businesses Express Couched Support for Minimum Wage Hike

In light of recent city council discussion over adopting a $15 an hour minimum wage in Cambridge, a few Harvard Square business owners said they were cautiously supportive of the suggested wage increase but also pointed out a potential increase in prices.

Cambridge City Councillor Nadeem A. Mazen, who is pushing a minimum wage increase. By Melanie Y. Fu

Anthony Allen, owner of Otto’s Pizza in Harvard Square, supports the transition to a $15 an hour wage as long as it is done in increments.

“I think it’s generally a good idea [to raise the minimum wage] as long as it’s done gradually,” he said.

However, Allen added that his business might need to increase prices. He said that “some of the cost would have to be passed on to the consumer through menu price increases.”

He cautioned that a sudden wage hike might harm businesses.

“I think it might really impact a lot of restaurants really harshly, but if done gradually I think it would be possible,” Allen said

Similarly Anthony S. Ackil ’99, co-owner of B.good, said that the increase might also lead to an increase in prices for customers.

“I’m always in favor of improving employee livelihood, but I think it’s always a balancing act,” Ackil said. “You can’t just take money out without more money coming in. What it would mean to us is that we would have to raise prices.”

Ackil also pointed out that the wage increase would impact the restaurant industry in Cambridge as a whole.

“It’s hard to make money in the restaurant industry, especially for small restaurants,” he said. “So, I think [the minimum wage is] doable but the whole industry will have to adjust. There are restaurants that will go out of business, and for small businesses like us, it is going to ultimately impact the bottom line.”

However, Ackil said that he is generally supportive of the measure, which he thinks would create a variety of benefits.

“Having happy employees makes for a much better product, operation, and business,” he said. “I like where the current wage trend is going and think that it will ultimately be a good move for Cambridge in the long term [if the measure is adopted.]”

However, Denise A. Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, cautioned that the minimum wage increase may not be within the city of Cambridge’s purview.

“It will be interesting to see where the council goes with the discussion, as the final decision inevitably is in the hands of the state,” she said.