Surcharge anger unfair: cafe owner

A small business owner has hit back at “keyboard warriors” and defended her decision to issue surcharges on public holidays.

Myalup’s Crooked Carrot owner Sonia Castro said her business was slammed online after putting a 17 per cent surcharge on food and beverages on WA Day.

She said she had to pay her staff 21/2 times their normal hourly rate on a public holiday.

“We don’t put the prices up to make money, we do it to pay our staff,” Mrs Castro said.

“We have to pay people $50 an hour to make coffee and it is hard to be profitable.

The surcharge on a cup of coffee is only an extra 70 cents.

Mrs Castro said she ran at a loss on the public holiday.

“We decided to open to give travellers somewhere to stop on the long weekend. “Having cafes open is good for the region as it brings tourists to the area.”

Mrs Castro said she was disappointed to get the online backlash as the hospitality industry had been through a tough couple of months.

“We had to close for six weeks because of the coronavirus and we have only just reopened.”

The Crooked Carrot owner said she also employed local workers and had 15 staff working on the public holiday.

She said the business also contributed to the local community.

“We try our best to support the community by donating veggies, prizes and money to local community and sporting groups.

“There are two sides to every story and the surcharge is just to cover wages, it is not to rip anyone off.”

Mrs Castro said a sign was placed on the door to advise people of the surcharge on the day.