NEW AT 4:00, PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY WHEN EATING AT RESTAURANTS IN GREENSBORO. MAYOR NANCY VAUGHAN PROPOSED THE NEW PREPARED FOOD TAX IN HER STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS JUST LAST NIGHT, AND WXII 12 JOSHUA DAVIS JOINS US IN DOWNTOWN GREENSBORO WITH DETAILS ON WHERE THE MONEY WILL GO AND REACTION FROM THOSE NOT TOO KEEN ON THIS NEW IDEA. MAYOR NANCY VAUGHAN SPOKE ABOUT THE PREPARED FOOD TAX AT WEDNESDAY’S STATE OF THE CITY EVENT, CLAIMING HE WOULD KEEP GREENSBORO COMPETITIVE AS AN ENTERTAINMENT AND TOURISM DESTINATION. HOWEVER, SOME BUSINESSES THINK IT’S SHORTSIGHTED AND. OAKCREST FAMILY RESTAURANT HAS BEEN OPEN FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES AND ACCORDING TO THE OWNER, IT’S THE GO TO SPOT FOR VETERANS AND THE ELDERLY DUE TO ITS GOOD FOOD FOR A FAIR PRICE, THEY ARE HAVE A BUDGET. THEY LIVE WITH A SOCIAL SECURITY, THEY HAVE LIMITED BUDGET. THEY CANNOT AFFORD ANYTHING EXTRA. THE MORE YOU CHARGE, THE LESS YOU SEE OF THEM AND AND THEY’RE TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. BUT THEIR RECEIPT TOTALS COULD SOON CHANGE. MAYOR NANCY VAUGHAN SAYS THE CITY IS CONSIDERING PUSHING FOR A PREPARED FOOD TAX FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF PLACES LIKE CHARLOTTE AND RALEIGH WOULD. THAT IS, IS A 1% TAX ON FOOD AND BEVERAGES. SO FOR A $10 BILL, IT WOULD ADD A DIME TO THE BILL. BUT THEY ARE THEY ARE GETTING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR, WHICH ENABLES THEM TO INVEST IT IN THEIR BUILDINGS, NOT ONLY INVEST WHAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE, BUT TO CREATE NEW ONES DURING THAT ADDRESS, SHE MENTIONED IF IT WAS IMPLEMENTED COUNTYWIDE, IT COULD GENERATE A MINIMUM OF $20 MILLION IN TAX. REALLY WILL NOT ONLY SOLIDIFY US WHERE WE ARE, BUT TAKE US TO THE NEXT LEVEL. BUT SAM SAYS EVEN A 1% CHANGE COULD STRAIN HIS BUSINESS AND HIS CUSTOMERS. LAST TIME I INCREASED THIS $0.05, IT WAS END OF THE WORLD FOR SOME OF THEM, BUT YOU KNOW, I DON’T WANT TO LOSE HIM. I REALLY WANTED TO GIVE HIM A GOOD SERVICE, AND I WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM BECAUSE. AND SAM SAYS HE’S HOPING THE CITY CAN COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT SOLUTION IN GREE
North Carolina business owners are worried about potential impact of 'prepared food tax' on customers
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Updated: 7:08 PM EDT Mar 21, 2024
People may have to spend more money when eating at restaurants in Greensboro and the mayor proposed the new tax in her "State of the City" address. Mayor Nancy Vaughan spoke about the “prepared food tax” during Wednesday’s State of the City event, claiming it would help Greensboro stay competitive as an entertainment/tourism destination. However, some businesses in Greensboro think it’s short-sighted. Top StoriesRowan County detectives identify man arrested in Salisbury human trafficking investigation, officials sayNorth Carolina State Highway Patrol brainstorming ways to recruit amid statewide trooper shortageStokes County students injured after car sideswipes activity bus in Catawba County, two drivers charged, officials sayGet the latest news stories of interest by clicking here Oakcrest Family Restaurant has been open for more than two decades, and according to the owner it’s the go-to spot for veterans and older adults due to its good food for a fair price. "They (older adults) have a budget," said owner Sam Helmi. "They live with Social Security. They have limited budget. They cannot afford anything extra. The more you charge, the less you see of them, and they're trying to make ends meet." However, their receipt totals could soon change. Mayor Vaughn's proposed “prepared food tax” follows the example of places like Charlotte and Raleigh. Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts"What that is, is a 1% tax on food and beverages," she said. "So for a $10 bill, it would add a dime to the bill. However, are getting tens of millions of dollars every year, which enables them to invest in their buildings. Not only invest what they currently have but to create new ." During that address, she mentioned if it was implemented county-wide, it could generate a minimum of $20 million."The prepared food tax really will not only solidify us where we are, but take us to the next level," she said.Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app hereHowever, Helmi says even a 1% change could strain his business and his customers. "Last time I increased five cents, it was the end of the world for some of them ," he said. "But you know I don't want to lose them. I really wanted to give them good service, and I want to take care of them." Helmi said he hopes the city can find a different solution.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |TRENDING STORIES
GREENSBORO, N.C. — People may have to spend more money when eating at restaurants in Greensboro and the mayor proposed the new tax in her "State of the City" address.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan spoke about the “prepared food tax” during Wednesday’s State of the City event, claiming it would help Greensboro stay competitive as an entertainment/tourism destination. However, some businesses in Greensboro think it’s short-sighted.
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Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here
Oakcrest Family Restaurant has been open for more than two decades, and according to the owner it’s the go-to spot for veterans and older adults due to its good food for a fair price.
"They (older adults) have a budget," said owner Sam Helmi. "They live with Social Security. They have limited budget. They cannot afford anything extra. The more you charge, the less you see of them, and they're trying to make ends meet."
However, their receipt totals could soon change. Mayor Vaughn's proposed “prepared food tax” follows the example of places like Charlotte and Raleigh.
Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts
"What that is, is a 1% tax on food and beverages," she said. "So for a $10 bill, it would add a dime to the bill. However, [Charlotte and Raleigh] are getting tens of millions of dollars every year, which enables them to invest in their buildings. Not only invest what they currently have but to create new [buildings]."
During that address, she mentioned if it was implemented county-wide, it could generate a minimum of $20 million.
"The prepared food tax really will not only solidify us where we are, but take us to the next level," she said.
Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here
However, Helmi says even a 1% change could strain his business and his customers.
"Last time I increased [the price] five cents, it was the end of the world for some of them [the customers]," he said. "But you know I don't want to lose them. I really wanted to give them good service, and I want to take care of them."
Helmi said he hopes the city can find a different solution.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love |
TRENDING STORIES
