No Small Feat for Small Businesses

The local businesses that operate in the City of Aspen may have greater challenges than stores in other cities. According to officials at the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, rents can cost upwards of $30,000/month in the downtown core. High rents combined with worker shortages and high worker wages can make keeping the doors open, a difficult task. I've profiled two businesses that have been operating for more than 3 decades and the message remains the same: high rents equal tough times. Ute Mountaineer owner Bob Wade says "nationals" or commercial companies, tend to drive up the rent because they can afford the initial price landlords offer. Sandy's Office Supply owner Mike Husaluk says his store is on the brink of owning its building, which will take a heavy weight off Husaluk's shoulders. When asked about paying workers, he said he had never offered minimum wage because that's not enough. The high cost of living requires higher hourly wages. The challenges businesses in Aspen face did not start with this latest recession, they are everyday issues that keep business owners on their feet.