Housing costs, commutes lead to gaps in service sector employment

When owner Mike Herman held a job fair for his new Hill Country Galleria restaurant, Hasler Brothers Steakhouse, in June, only seven people showed up at the dusty construction site for an interview. He said he hired three of the applicants and continued searching for staffers to fill 52 additional jobs—ranging from hostesses to bussers—in the 140-seat steakhouse as well as its adjoining 85-seat sports bar, Cindy's Galleria.

The steakhouse is not alone. Several business owners in the Lake Travis area have voiced concerns about finding enough staff.

For Lake Travis-area patrons, fewer staffers may also mean a lesser quality of service.

"There are only so many reservations we'll be able to take," Herman said of the shortage.

Rose Marie Vera, an administrator with Silverado Memory Care Community, said that a the facility's inability to fill its positions could force the business to turn away potential patients.

Helena Yang, Hasler Brothers Steakhouse general manager, said the steakhouse and sports bar were still struggling to attract employees when they held a second job fair July 11. Of the 10 applicants who attended the second fair, none lived in the Lake Travis area, she said.

Herman said the Lake Travis area's high socio-economic base makes it difficult to find local high school students who need a job. He said he provides higher compensation to make up for his staff's commute from surrounding areas.