APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Record low-unemployment in the state is having unintended consequences and leaving some businesses unable to find applicants. The lack of workers has forced some local restaurants and shops to close their doors.
At least temporarily. Such is the case with Frank’s Pizza Palace in downtown Appleton because they currently understaffed.
The squeeze has both customers and local business owners frustrated.
“It’s sad, it’s just really sad,” says Natasha Banks.
Banks fits the description of both customer and business owner because her eatery, The Cozzy Corner, is located right across the street from Frank’s Pizza Palace.
Her business hasn’t been immune to the shortage of workers and has had enough of an effect to force her into closing one location.
“The one in Kaukauna we were struggling keeping employees,” she says. “We were just having high turnaround over there.”
Banks has tried her best to find help. She says she’s offered higher wages and attempted to help find living, but her restaurant continued to have a tough time competing against delivery services.
In the end, it wasn’t feasible to keep both locations open.
“I just decided that it would be best if we just let it close and focus on this one,” says Banks.
The struggle continues down the street at West Corporation.
“We’ve been having to search outside of our normal scope to try and find workers for our openings,” says talent acquisition manager Nick Dondlinger.
To try and find those potential workers they’ve highlighted their benefits package.
“A lot of the people that we would entice to bring in are excited about our generous PTO and health insurance options,” he says.
Appleton Downtown Inc. adds that the Holiday season is also having an effect on the current climate.
“They need additional hours to staff, additional people on the floor, this is very busy time for downtown Appleton,” said Jennifer Stephany with the Appleton Downtown Inc.
She added that there might still be a reason for optimism in the area.
“We’re about to see a new influx of new employees into our district as well as we look to the future of U.S. Venture joining our downtown neighborhood,” says Stephany.
It’s still unknown when Frank’s Pizza Palace will reopen.
