SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — The rising cost of food, supplies and labor is directly impacting local businesses. So are skyrocketing rent prices that are hitting family-owned businesses more than most.
Sorso Wine Bar is a popular, trendy hangout in the Scottsdale Quarter, off Scottsdale Road and Greenway Parkway.
Owners Mark and Lauren Teahan say their business has thrived while others have gone under. But that’s not enough to keep the wine bar open.
The couple just announced they’ll be closing their doors at the end of April after they say their landlord told them their monthly rent would go up from $14,000 to $21,000.
“Usually rent goes up about 3% a year,” said Mark Teahan. “They wanted it to go up 40% or more. A 40% jump in one year, they knew it wasn’t realistic.”
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The wine bar is among a growing number of family-owned restaurants across the Valley hit with higher rent prices and forced to relocate or close down for good.
Many businesses are being replaced by larger chain restaurants, which can better handle the higher costs.
“We’ve said all along, we really want people to feel like they are at our home having a glass of wine and something to eat,” said Lauren Teahan. “You don’t get that in this area, everything is chain driven and so its really disappointing.”
Gabe Gardner with Local Arizona First says what makes the community unique is all the one-of-a-kind family restaurants and businesses around town. Right now, many are being squeezed out.
“No one is saying real estate agents and person holding commercial properties has to go poor themselves, but there also has to be some sort of middle ground, where the restaurant can survive,” said Gardner.
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