It looks like businesses all over the country are taking President Obama's proposal to raise workers' minimum wage to $10.10 to heart.
The President, who proposed upping the minimum wage to $10.10 during his January 2014 State of the Union address, has also taken his fight on the road, talking about raising wages at every opportunity he can -- and citing examples of businesses who have decided to pay their workers a fair, livable wage.
Recently, during a speech at Central Connecticut State University, President Obama named several companies committed to upping employee wages, saying "it's good busines to do right by your workers. Some of the companies mentioned? Costco, the Gap, and Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor Restaurant. In his talk, the President said that Jaxson's is "an ice cream parlor that's been in business since 1956" and that the restaurant will "lift workers' wages to at least $10.10 without cutting back on hiring."
See also: Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor Behind the Scenes
That's a big coup for the little ice cream parlor that's been a beloved Dania Beach institution for decades. Jaxson's, by the way, Tweeted a "thank you" to President Obama.
@BarackObama Thank you for mentioning @IcecreamJaxsons in Dania Beach, FL in your speech today and confirming we made the right decision!
— Jaxson's Ice Cream (@IcecreamJaxsons) March 5, 2014Then, the ice cream parlor did one better. It invited the President for a sweet treat while he's in town this weekend.
@BarackObama We hope you will stop by @IcecreamJaxsons for some ice cream when you are in Miami this weekend!!
— Jaxson's Ice Cream (@IcecreamJaxsons) March 5, 2014Jaxson's isn't the only local restaurant to up their minimum wage. Caffe Luna Rosa in Delray Beach also announced an increase in their workers' wages. In a statement, the restaurant's founder/partner Fran Marincola said the restaurant, "is proudly joining their parade - and we are doing so because we believe it is in the best, long-term financial interests of both the restaurant and our loyal, hard-working staff. While others have every right to ponder whether the federal government, or any government for that matter, should be dictating to independent business owners how much they should pay the people they employ, at our small, beachfront restaurant, we believe human reality trumps political theory every time."
The cafe will up all hourly employees' hourly wage to $10.10 an hour. Approximately 20 employees will be positively impacted by this higher minimum wage.
"We see giving our employees a reasonable increase as an investment in our restaurant, one that is good for business both short term and long term," says Marincola. "It's also just the right thing to do." In the past, Marincola and his team have consistently gone the extra mile for employees, helping staff members purchase cars, secure mortgages, and even gain American citizenship.
Watch President Obama give Jaxson's a shout out on this C-SPAN clip:
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