Balancing the sale of high quality products with affordable prices is a delicate and highly technical dance that even Robert Irwin might stumble on.
Over the weekend, Antonio’s Real New York Pizza Facebook page posted a 635-word diatribe addressing complaints about high prices at its Loveland location.
In an effort to illuminate the hidden expenses driving up prices while outlining the unfortunate consequence of a quality product, the post revealed a few of the biggest hurdles facing Antonio’s checkbook.
A look at the books:
Between the Longmont, Loveland, Estes Park locations…
Business insurance: $50,000/year
Electricity costs: $5,000/month
Property tax: $50,000/year
Health insurance costs per employee: $932/month
Correction: At this article’s initial publication, health insurance costs were mistakenly listed at $10,800/month
The post also added that its ovens cost “six figures.”
“Every piece of equipment we invest in to make better pizza shows up in the price,” the statement wrote. “If you want quality: come to Antonio’s. You want cheap, we aren’t the place.”
Zooming out:
Battling rising prices while keeping products affordable is an epidemic plaguing many businesses. It’s a symptom of which Longmont Chamber of Commerce CEO Scott Cook is well aware. He says even when restaurants appear to be thriving, the reality could be far more grim.
“A lot of people might look at a full parking lot and think ‘Oh this business is doing well,’ Cook said. “But, also this business has seen a lot of rising expenses and they’re doing their best keep those prices as low as they possibly can, sometimes at the expense of profit.”
Cook added that the current business scene in Longmont is a mixed bag.
The good:
Longmont is seeing a slight uptick in businesses opening.
New business openings have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Not so good:
Last month’s Longmont Chamber of Commerce Membership Report showed just as many business closures as ribbon cuttings.
Scott encouraged residents to continue supporting local businesses and remember the importance of keeping them afloat.
“If you want to have great parks, schools, city services, you have to have great businesses,” Cook said.