Waukesha Restaurant Changes Hours Due To Job Vacancies

WAUKESHA, WI—A Waukesha restaurant and bar was hit hard due to the pandemic and now faces another hurdle — job vacancies that are proving hard to fill.

Chris Potratz, general manager of The Neighbors Bar and Grille, located on Arcadian Avenue, said it is a reality hitting the restaurant industry.

The Neighbors Bar and Grille announced it is limiting its kitchen hours until the end of June citing the shortages. The kitchen will be open Monday to Saturday until 9 p.m. and Sundays until 8 p.m. There will still be pizzas available after the main kitchen closes.

The kitchen was previously open until 9:30 p.m. Sunday, 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Potratz told Patch his staff is especially short in the kitchen. They hired a full-time person but the person doesn't start for another two weeks. The restaurant is also in need of another kitchen line/prep cook.

"We have basically been looking since we reopened for full service after the shutdown was lifted," Potratz said.

He added his business had bad luck with job recruiting sites as people would set up interviews and not show up.

"The extra benefit from the unemployment has impacted this industry dramatically probably more than any other industry. With the extra benefit, people are being paid more to stay home instead of go to work," he said.

The jobs he wants filled pay $15-$18 per hour depending on experience. There is a $1-$3 increase after a three month period of learning the menu.

Previously, the jobs used to pay between $13-$15 a hour but pay has increased due to the vacancies, Potratz said.

The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation provides an additional $300 a week and will expire on Labor Day. Gov. Tony Evers has defended the additional money, according to a WISN-12 report.

"First of all, I'd like to see proof that the people struggling on unemployment, that if they all came back to work suddenly this problem is solved," Evers said outside the state Capitol. "It's an issue I've seen no data on, none whatsoever."

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Melissa Hughes said in a TMJ4 report that a lack of child care, health issues, or not having access to reliable internet are all playing a role in the shortage.

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, along with other chambers of commerce statewide, have asked Evers to stop the $300 a week supplement, the WISN-12 report said.

Potratz remains hopeful the new regulations with unemployment might help businesses like his.

Wisconsin residents receiving unemployment compensation are now required to follow the work-search procedure in order to keep receiving benefits. In May, the Legislature's Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules ended an emergency rule that has suspended the work-search requirement since the beginning of the pandemic.

"In 27 years in the restaurant business, 12 years at The Neighbors Bar and Grille, this is the worst I’ve ever seen it. Employees are Stretched thin, working long hours, and getting burned out, this is why we cut our hours in the kitchen to try and soften the blow," Potratz said.

He added the pandemic has caused a huge amount of stress for owners and managers in the food service industry.

"I know several of my fellow restaurant owners that are struggling to keep doors open due to this shortage. We refuse to close down for any days, but we have to compromise and make some cuts until we are staffed," Potratz said.