Nationwide restaurant worker shortage hits West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Over the last year, restaurants have been hit hard with closures, limited capacity and now there’s another crisis affecting the industry -- a worker shortage.

According to the National Restaurant Association, the number of restaurant jobs has increased every month this year. However, staffing is lower than it was a year ago by 20%.

Richie Heath is the Executive Director at West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association. He said West Virginia has been impacted by this as well.

"Last March there were more than 50,000 jobs in the restaurant industry and now in West Virginia, you're probably down 10,000 from that," Heath said.

Restaurants like Soho's at Capitol Market is also experiencing a shortage, according to the owner, Tracy Abdalla.

"In the last two weeks, I have hired eight people. Some are still here, some are not," Abdalla said.

Sierra Arthur has been working at Soho's since November. She stays busy - on and off the restaurant floor. She works two jobs and works at Soho's five times a week. When she isn't working, she is cheerleading on the sidelines at football and soccer games at the University of Charleston. Being busy at work doesn't faze her.

"I like my job, I like working here," Arthur said.

As restrictions have loosened, rebounding restaurants have been forced to compete for a smaller pool of applicants.

"We were looking for dishwashers, cooks, prep people, servers, hosts, managers. You run the gamut, we have it all available right now," Abdalla said.

Abdalla has gotten creative with hiring people. He's reached out to colleges and high schools for workers. Arthur was even able to recruit a friend from work to join his team.

A full, bustling restaurant is still a sight welcomed at Soho's. Though busy, everyone seems to carry their weight.

"My job description for myself and everyone who works at Soho's is whatever it takes to get the job done, if I got to wash dishes, I'll wash dishes. If I have to mop the floor, I'll mop the floor," Abdalla said.