Local businesses face worker shortage, struggling to keep up with demand

It's been over a week since California fully reopened on June 15. Hotels, restaurants, stores, and other businesses don't have to deal with limited capacities.

Usually, Acqua California Bistro would be filled with people but the restaurant hasn't been able to open since March of last year. The restaurant's manager, Chris Bluhm, said it's because he hasn't been able to find enough people to fill the open positions.

"We even had a lady one time come in sit at one of the tables asking where the server was at, and I had to kindly explain to her that unfortunately, due to not having enough help in the restaurant, that we're not open," said Bluhm.

The Hilton in Palm Springs is also dealing with a similar issue.

"There is so much pent up demand, especially on weekends, that we are having a lot of challenges in finding people that really want to come and work five days a week," said the managing director of the Hilton in Palm Springs.

The Hilton Palm Springs is short of over 30 employees. Bluhm said the pandemic’s unemployment benefits are likely to blame.

"What we're finding is that the unemployment benefits are somewhat equal, if not greater, to what the employees would be making while working," said Bluhm.

The hotel and the restaurant have received a few applicants, but the applicants rarely contact them again.

"They're pretty much just coming in to say they applied somewhere, but then when we go back out to reach to them, you know, they're not returning our calls," said Bluhm.

Dada said it's been a frustrating process.

"We are in the hospitality business, which is service, service, service- taking care of customers," said Dada. "And we are not able to deliver any of those experiences and expectations.”

The Hilton Palm Springs has tried to offer incentives to applicants. Acqua California Bistro has tried a job fair, social media posts, in-person applications, and signage outside the restaurant to get more people hired. But it hasn't been enough to open the restaurant the same way it was before.

"We have enough staff to open but it's only going to be on a part-time basis of opening, not our normal regular hours," said Bluhm.

The restaurant plans to open on July 1 with limited hours.

"That stimulus is going to be exhausted September sixth, and we are hoping there will be plenty of labor pool available to pick and choose," said Dada.