Restaurants and Bars

Unstoppable Economic Engine: Local Restaurants and Bars

The Service Industry, the Space Coast’s local restaurants and bars, are an unstoppable economic engine

In Brevard County, restaurants and bars are more than places to grab a bite or a drink—they’re the lifeblood of our local economy. These small businesses, championed by Brevard.Biz and bolstered by initiatives like the OBBB’s push for no tax on tips, create a self-sustaining economic engine that powers our community. Since COVID, however, this vital sector has faced relentless challenges, from forced closures to skyrocketing costs and regulatory burdens. Despite these obstacles, Brevard’s restaurants and bars remain resilient, driving jobs, fostering community, and keeping dollars local. Now, more than ever, we must rally behind these mom-and-pop establishments to ensure they thrive for generations to come.

The Problem: A Targeted Assault on the Service Economy

The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a gut punch to Brevard’s restaurants and bars. Overnight, government-mandated shutdowns forced beloved local spots to close their doors, leaving owners scrambling and employees without income. As businesses began to recover, they faced new hurdles: proposed policies like a call for $20 minimum wage and souring inflation threatened to crush already razor-thin margins.

One local diner owner shared a stark example: the cost of a case of 144 eggs, a staple for his breakfast menu, nearly doubled, pushing his business to the brink of closure. Imagine how many eggs a diner goes through every week.

Layered on top are ever-growing regulations—licensing fees, health inspections, and compliance costs—that disproportionately burden small businesses.

Then add the ever-rising cost of servicing appliances, like your broken walk-in cooler, gas grills, or even having to replace aging water pipes.

These challenges don’t just affect owners. When a restaurant or bar struggles, servers, bartenders, cooks, and dishwashers lose hours or jobs. Suppliers, from local farmers to beverage distributors, feel the pinch. The ripple effect spreads across Brevard, threatening the vibrant, interconnected economy we’ve built. Yet, despite these pressures, our local service industry refuses to break.

The Benefits: Why Restaurants and Bars Matter

Brevard’s restaurants and bars are more than businesses—they’re the backbone of our community. Here’s why they’re worth fighting for:

  1. Keeping Dollars Local
    When you dine at a Brevard restaurant or sip a craft cocktail at a local bar, your money stays here. Unlike corporate chains that siphon profits to distant headquarters, mom-and-pop establishments reinvest in our community. That $20 you spend on a burger and fries might go toward a server’s rent, a local farmer’s produce, or a nearby printer’s services. This cycle of local spending fuels economic growth and strengthens Brevard’s financial foundation.
  2. Mom-and-Pop Powerhouses
    Small businesses define Brevard’s character. From the cozy diner serving pancakes since the 1970s to the beachside bar hosting live music, these establishments are community hubs. They provide jobs for locals—often flexible, entry-level positions that support students, single parents, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Beyond jobs, they offer affordable meals, a place to celebrate milestones, or a spot to unwind after a long day. These businesses aren’t just feeding us; they’re weaving the social fabric of Brevard.
  3. A Robust Supply Chain
    Restaurants and bars are the linchpin of a vast local supply chain. A single eatery supports dozens of other businesses: farmers growing fresh tomatoes, ranchers supplying beef, distributors delivering craft beer, and sign companies crafting neon “Open” signs. Add in advertising agencies, cleaning services, and equipment suppliers, and you see how one restaurant’s success lifts countless others. This interconnected web ensures that every dollar spent locally multiplies, creating a thriving, self-sustaining economy.

No Tax on Tips: A Lifeline for Workers and Businesses

The OBBB’s advocacy for no tax on tips is a critical step toward supporting Brevard’s service industry. Tips are the lifeblood of servers, bartenders, and other front-line workers, often making up the bulk of their income. Taxing tips reduces their take-home pay, making it harder for them to afford rent, groceries, or childcare in an already expensive world. By eliminating taxes on tips, we put more money directly into workers’ pockets—money they’re likely to spend at other local businesses, further fueling Brevard’s economy.

For restaurant and bar owners, this policy is a lifeline. Lower financial pressure on employees means better retention, reducing the costly churn of hiring and training. It also allows businesses to keep menu prices affordable, attracting more customers. This virtuous cycle strengthens the entire service ecosystem, from the server to the supplier.

Brevard.Biz: A Champion for Local Business

Brevard.Biz is a steadfast ally for our small businesses. By promoting local restaurants and bars, they amplify the importance of keeping dollars in our community. Their support for policies like no tax on tips demonstrates a commitment to practical solutions that empower owners and workers alike. Through their directory and advocacy, Brevard.Biz ensures that our local economy remains vibrant, resilient, and rooted in the people who make it special.

The Threats of Corporatization and Automation

As we celebrate Brevard’s service economy, we must also recognize the growing threats of corporatization and automation. Big chains with deep pockets can weather economic storms that mom-and-pop shops cannot. They standardize menus, cut local suppliers, and send profits out of state.

Meanwhile, automation—think self-service kiosks and AI-driven ordering systems—reduces the need for human workers, eroding the personal touch that defines Brevard’s restaurants and bars. While technology has its place, it’s the people—servers greeting you by name, bartenders crafting a perfect drink, chefs pouring heart into every dish—that make our local establishments irreplaceable.

Call to Action: Support Local, Support People

To keep Brevard’s economic engine roaring, we must act now to incentivize and sustain our local restaurants and bars. Here’s how you can help:

  • Choose Local Over Corporate: Skip the national chains and dine at Brevard’s mom-and-pop spots. Your dollars will directly support local owners, workers, and suppliers.
  • Advocate for Fair Policies: Support initiatives like the OBBB’s no tax on tips campaign. Contact local representatives to push for policies that ease regulations and reduce financial burdens on small businesses.
  • Prioritize People Over Automation: Celebrate the human connection in our service industry. Tip generously, engage with staff, and spread the word about your favorite local haunts.
  • Engage with Brevard.Biz: Use their directory to discover new restaurants and bars, and share their resources with friends and family to amplify local support.

Every meal you enjoy at a local restaurant, every drink you sip at a neighborhood bar, is an investment in Brevard’s future. By choosing local over corporate and people over automation, you’re helping sustain the jobs, community, and character that make our county unique.

The Path Forward

Brevard’s restaurants and bars have faced unprecedented challenges, from COVID shutdowns to inflation and regulatory pressures. Yet, their resilience shines through. These businesses are more than economic drivers—they’re where we gather for first dates, family dinners, and late-night laughs. They’re where locals find work, farmers find buyers, and communities find connection.

By supporting Brevard.Biz, advocating for policies like no tax on tips, and choosing local over corporate, we can ensure this unstoppable economic engine keeps powering our community. Next time you’re hungry or thirsty, head to a local spot. Your choice will keep Brevard thriving—plate by plate, pint by pint.