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.
