STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A recent SILive.com column highlighting the challenges facing Staten Island’s restaurant industry prompted responses from local elected officials, who weighed in on rising costs, government mandates, regulatory pressures and the future of neighborhood eateries.
The column, “Dear Staten Islanders: The restaurant on your corner is more important than you think,” sought to open a broader discussion about an extraordinarily diverse industry whose owners are not always in a position to advocate for themselves because of language barriers, cultural differences or the day-to-day demands of running a business.
As a follow-up, elected city and state officials were asked to address concerns raised by restaurant owners, including minimum wage increases, proposed legislation, regulatory challenges and other issues affecting Staten Island’s hospitality industry…