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There is no shortage of small businesses on lively El Cajon Boulevard.
One of these storefronts is Lili Kouture, who specializes in West African designs and clothing from Togo.
Owner Lili Lare said she was concerned about the minimum wage increase, due to go into effect Jan. 1, as she was already facing increased shipping costs and low sales.
“I have my own manufacturer at home and I import all the time. So it already affects me, “she said.” The last time I wanted to do the show, the price doubled. And then I couldn’t because I didn’t have a budget for it. ”
While the companies in the city of San Diego will have to pay their employees $ 15 an hour in the New Year, California law differs slightly.
The entire state is expected to hit a minimum wage of $ 15 per hour from January for companies with 26+ employees and for all companies by 2023.
Jacob Aer
Lili Lare, owner of Lili Kouture, holds up a piece of clothing for women’s clothing from West Africa on December 8, 2021.
Lare said she understood the need for higher wages in an increasingly expensive California, but wished there was a way to help small businesses afford to hire.
“You can’t stop them from raising the minimum wage. People have to live too, ”she said. “You need the money to survive, because of the rent and all. And myself here, the rent will go up next month. “
Next to Lili Kouture is the El Borrego restaurant. Co-owner Rodnia Attiq is also feeling the pressure of wage increases with her downsizing and rising food costs.
“Even if we feel like family and support each other, that’s not enough. Because people need the money to live and everything is growing in San Diego, ”said Attiq. “So what’s going to happen? I do not know. I think we will have to raise the prices. “
The restaurant may need to curtail certain services it has offered in the past to make up for the downsizing, she said.
Jacob Aer
Rosario Sotelo, co-owner of the EL Borrego restaurant, will prepare a cactus salad on December 8, 2021.
Last Friday, a polling initiative was tabled with the Attorney General’s office to gradually increase the state minimum wage from 2023 and then to $ 18 an hour for businesses of all sizes by 2026.
If the initiative collects enough signatures, it could run elections in November 2022.
“It’s great for everyone because everyone deserves it and San Diego is expensive. But for a company like us it will be very painful, ”said Attiq, referring to the nomination.
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