The window shattered at Baodega, a Manhattan dim-sum spot, in October. Owner Kenny Yie says this was a customer’s retribution after, per New York State law, he asked them for proof of vaccination because they wanted to dine indoors.
"I'm just trying to enforce the law, which is I have to see the vaccine certificate and a picture ID," Yie said. "And if someone doesn't have it, I say, 'I'm sorry, I can't let you go inside, to dine in. And so he just went out and broke my window. I called the police. I don’t understand why people don’t take the vaccine and be safe for everybody."
This is a slice of life in the hospitality business these days, where staff have often taken on second roles as security guards and bouncers. It’s one in a cocktail of factors swirling around the tight labor market that’s left many bars and restaurants struggling to find workers. They have fled the industry in droves because of childcare issues, concerns about getting sick on the job, and a wave of antisocial behavior from customers that echoes what we've seen on commercial flights and elsewhere.
In response, many owners are shrinking their menu offerings to eliminate labor-intensive items. They're shortening their hours or even closing up completely on days—usually Monday and Tuesday—when business is slower. But many are also circling a straightforward solution: pay workers more. Restaurants nationwide are moving to pay the full minimum wage that’s required for pretty much any other job, plus tips....
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Club, a private city club that has operated for more than 150 years, has agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve claims that it falsely represented its eligibility...