By William J. Ford
Washington Informer, Dec 31, 2020
Nick Balmadier continues to gain coffee experience working at Vigilante Coffee Co. in College Park. Besides learning to grind coffee beans and brew java, the 22-year-old senior at the University of Maryland also gained another skill.
“I’ve learned how to clean better since working here,” said Balmadier of Howard County, who majors in community health. “It’s those little things that have made this an overall great experience.”
Starting Friday, workers in Maryland will see a minimum-wage increase from $11 to $11.75. State lawmakers overrode a veto by Gov. Larry Hogan last year to gradually increase the minimum hourly wage up to $15 by 2025. For businesses with 14 or fewer employees, the figure will increase to $11.60 and up to $15 by 2026.
This year, the coronavirus pandemic has hampered thousands of businesses in the state. ...
Vigilante Coffee, with up to 40 employees, situated its two businesses to not allow indoor dining. But even with some of the changes due to the pandemic, owner Chris Vigilante supports a minimum-wage increase. ...
“I started off in my coffee career making minimum wage, so I know what it’s like to try and make ends meet,” he said in a phone interview. “It’s important for me having grown as a barista to a café owner to try and give people a livable wage. Fifteen dollars isn’t enough, but you got to start somewhere and I think that’s a good place to get going.” ...
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