Layers of Red Tape
The restaurant business is hard enough as it is. Yet despite all the lip service given by local politicians regarding their admiration and support for restaurateurs, the truth is many local establishments have suffered financially because of the layers of red tape laid down by those officials who ostensibly care about our local restaurants.
My friend Hoover Alexander has lost two restaurants to this morass of bureaucracy all cast in the guise of securing permits et al. supposedly to protect the public.
I’ve seen far too many places announce an anticipated opening only to miss the mark, often by months. And it’s got nothing to do with sloppy business practices. More often some dumb ass inspector on a power trip is responsible.
The question is why hasn’t this situation gotten better? Why indeed? But if I hear one more city administrator boast about our “terrific restaurant scene” I’m going to puke.
It’s time our officials recognize the havoc their indifference has caused in the restaurant community. And it’s time this city finally starts supporting the hospitality industry that employees more people than any other industry in the greater Austin area.
