Two Berkeley Businesses Ban the Penny

You won't get pennies in your change if you pay in cash at Mike's Bikes or Cheese Board Pizzeria.

Both Berkeley businesses have opted to take a small loss and round transactions down to the nearest nickel, part of a growing movement in the U.S. to take the penny out of circulation, according to an article in this week's East Bay Express. 

Pennies cost almost twice as much to mint as they are worth, and they waste time, say those who favor getting rid of the "copper" coins (now mostly composed of zinc).

"For us, it's a net savings," says Matt Adams, president and co-owner of Mike's Bikes. "It's more convenient, and the time it takes to roll the pennies and deal with them makes it worth it."

You may read the complete Express article here.