Wage increase makes sense to some

While some employers fear the largest minimum wage jump in 10 years, workers make plans

By David Holley

The Beaverton Valley Times, Jan 1, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (11 Reader comments)

Jessie Kirk / The Beaverton Valley Times

Oregon’s minimum wage will change from its current rate of $7.95 an hour to $8.40. Oregon has the fourth highest wage in the nation.

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For many small business owners, the rise in Oregon’s minimum wage is frightening.

“It’s a big increase,” said Tina Thompson, co-owner of a Dutch Bros. Coffee stand at 8940 S.W. Hall Boulevard in Beaverton. “Kind of with the economy slowing things down and stuff, it’s going to take a toll for a while.”

The pay raise gives minimum wage employees a much brighter outlook, however.

“It’s nice to be able to have the extra cash to be able to do things I want to do,” said Jaede Ishikawa, 21, who works for minimum wage at Everyday Music on Cedar Hills Boulevard. “Right now I’m kind of running on ramen.”

When the minimum wage increases by 45 cents to $8.40, full-time workers will earn an extra $72 a month, or $936 a year. That means more groceries and less ramen for people like Ishikawa.

“It’s probably going to help me out a lot,” she said.

But she does understand the frustration of many small business owners, who must now shell out thousands of dollars of extra cash during tough economic times to pay employees. Thompson, the co-owner of the Dutch Bros., said sales of the stand’s specialty coffee drinks have dropped in recent months, especially during the two-week snow storm.

“A lot of regulars are coming in a few times a week instead of every day,” she said.

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