More Minnesota employers raise starting pay, eager to get rolling again

Jun 01, 20210

Elizabeth Flores, Star Tribune count

Aimee Hutchinson, the wine manager and content writer for Top Ten Liquors, stocked wine at the Roseville location, Monday, May 24, 2021. The Twin Cities-based chain just raised its minimum wage to $15. It's one of a number of employers who have raised wages to attract and retain workers.

For Jon Halper, owner of Top Ten Liquors stores in the Twin Cities, there were lots of good reasons to boost starting wages from $12 to $15 an hour.

Sales have been strong, with the pandemic spurring a surge in alcohol consumption at home. He's got new stores on the horizon, and he wants to make sure the existing ones continue to offer good customer service. And then, there's the matter of finding workers.

"It's become very challenging to hire people in the environment we're in," Halper said. "So we felt we needed to make a move."

https://www.startribune.com/more-minnesota-employers-raise-starting-pay-eager-to-get-rolling-again/600063178/