Texas restaurants are facing a tough economic stretch, with rising costs and a slowdown in customers threatening their survival, according to a new report.<\/p>\n
HOUSTON \u2014 Texas restaurants are facing a tough economic stretch, with rising costs and a slowdown in customers threatening their survival, according to a new report from the Texas Restaurant Association.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some owners warn that if conditions don\u2019t improve soon, they may have no choice but to close their doors.<\/p>\n
Janice Jucker, owner of Three Brothers Bakery in Houston, said foot traffic has slowed while costs for basic ingredients have soared.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow we have higher prices,\u201d Jucker said.<\/p>\n
She listed items that have become significantly more expensive: eggs, sugar, pumpkin, gloves and even chocolate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe price of nearly everything has more than doubled,\u201d Jucker said.<\/p>\n
Across town in Spring Branch, Jonathan Navarrete, owner of La Siberia Original Tex-Mex, said tariffs on imported goods from Mexico have caused steep price increases.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor avocados and limes, what used to cost $20 now costs $45,\u201d Navarrete said. \u201cRomaine lettuce went from $23 to $70.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also said immigration raids in the neighborhood have kept customers away.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses start to decline shortly after immigration enforcement happens,\u201d Navarrete said. \u201cIt makes people afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Navarrete said a raid last week across the street left his restaurant nearly empty.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had maybe five tables all day,\u201d he said. \u201cRevenue was less than $100. I couldn\u2019t even pay the electric bill for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Texas Restaurant Association report shows that 88% of restaurants are paying more for goods, 66% face higher labor costs, and more than half have seen a decline in customers.<\/p>\n
Their biggest fear: if tables aren\u2019t filled soon, many restaurants may not survive until summer.<\/p>\n
Emily Williams Knight, president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, said the situation could have ripple effects across the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cA large number of closures would impact the Texas economy,\u201d Williams Knight said. \u201cThe Texas restaurant industry is the number one employer in the private sector in the state.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Navarrete, the struggle isn\u2019t just about business; it\u2019s about his livelihood and dreams.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our life, our dreams being shredded and taken apart,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s nerve-wracking.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Texas Restaurant Association says it is pushing for policy changes and relief measures to help struggling restaurants.<\/p>\n