BIZNOTE: The West Seattle restaurant/bar that says it’s not raising prices

Camp West in The Junction (4539 California SW) asked us to share this with you:

No Price Increases in 2025 – Increased cost of dining out is affecting everyone. We know that dining out should be enjoyable and affordable. That’s why we’re keeping our prices steady for at least the first part of the year. We’ll do our best to extend this as long as possible. This is our way of thanking you for your support and making sure you can continue to enjoy what makes Camp West special.

The 21+ restaurant/bar also wants you to know it’s expanded its non-alcoholic-beverage menu, with “craft beer and refreshing mocktails.”

Patrick January 9, 2025 (4:17 pm)

This is really great news. With the minimum wage increase across WA state this year small businesses are really struggling to keep the lights on.

Darren January 9, 2025 (5:02 pm)

In the capitalist, market economy that we have, people who want higher wages must realize the consumer is going to fund that by paying more. The money doesn’t come out of thin air or not usually from the business owner. The business owners don’t want a pay cut, would you? I just think people have lost sight of the big picture. Just be careful what you wish for.

k January 9, 2025 (5:15 pm)

Reply

What everyone seems to have lost sight of is food conglomerates raking in record profits for jacking up the prices of everything. Why should workers have to accept poverty wages just so someone else can turn a bigger profit? Yes, small businesses get stuck in the middle, but constantly blaming the workers for the situation is myopic and really unfair.
- Lauren January 9, 2025 (6:11 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  Spot on, k
- Darren January 9, 2025 (6:27 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  Something else that could happen is a business owner could cut staff to afford to pay the higher wages. Ironically instead of a raise, staff could be let go. Fewer staff members translates to the customer experience. Having 3 employees at a restaurant vs 5, for example, will result in slower service. The business could just shut down too as we have seen in West Seattle. There’s definitely a balance.
- Anne January 9, 2025 (7:18 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  Businesses need to & should make a profit- workers should get paid a living wage – food prices are way up. Not blaming businesses-nor workers & we’re all paying those higher prices for food. If a restaurant can afford to not raise prices -great. But if they can’t make a profit to afford higher wages & food costs many will either let staff go or raise prices- or both- or close.
- Patrick January 10, 2025 (8:03 am)
  
  Reply
  
  k, you are living in a fantasy world. ‘Food conglomerates’ (AKA; grocery chains) operate on notoriously low rates of profit on revenues; about 1-2%. Which means they are super efficient at providing their customers with products at low prices.
  - K January 10, 2025 (9:00 am)
    
    Reply
    
    I’m talking about the agricultural conglomerates that supply the grocery sellers. Smithfield, etc.
- Elton January 10, 2025 (10:24 am)
  
  Reply
  
  Not every restaurant is a food conglomerate. Restaurants are in a very tough industry in terms of expenses. Some Random Bar did a great breakdown on how the change affects them – they are certainly not raking in record profits despite high revenues: https://www.instagram.com/somerandombar/reel/DEk7rHGzStM/
West Seattle Mad Sci Guy January 10, 2025 (12:54 am)

Reply

I might have misunderstood your post. But. What is true for me is I have a restaurant budget. Pre covid I ate out more than I should have. A lot more. Now I maybe go out once a week and eat maybe an appetizer or small portion happy hour size dish that’s three times what it was a few years ago. The restaurants may be justified in their price increases. The end result is folks can’t afford to eat out nearly as much anymore.
Ryan January 10, 2025 (7:47 am)

Reply

The people who own all the companies this restaurant and others purchase their goods from keep raising their prices, but people with your view aren’t pointing fingers at them. No, instead of lecturing the people taking the most you cast judgement on the people getting the least.
John A. January 10, 2025 (2:59 pm)

Reply

Many want the business owner to take a pay cut to equal what their employees get. That it is filthy unfair any other way. They don’t take into account that the owner is investing and risking their own money, and providing job creation. In fact, some local governments see it that way and will tax greedy businesses out of existence.

Gabe Rawlins January 9, 2025 (6:25 pm)

Unlike Jak’s…..

Casey January 9, 2025 (10:29 pm)

Reply

Seriously, let Toni be a guide for anyone not trying to just take advantage. She works so hard, employs people, has an amazing establishment with consistent staff and yummy food! And I also feel the prices aren’t crazy for seattle standards to begin with. Thank you, Toni!

thunderbolt January 9, 2025 (6:45 pm)

Fact is we all pay for 50+ years flat wages. Welfare is used as a way to pay workers and gain profit. There’s more incentive to keep labor dirt poor. Walmart and fast food. Servers work for charity.If it’s so cushy? Get a job. Instead of crying for fish? Grab a pole.

Oerthehillz January 9, 2025 (7:05 pm)

I know I’m learning to appreciate eating at home more now, and when the partner does the dishes it’s the best service in town! No tipping needed.

Foop January 9, 2025 (7:12 pm)

Camp West is a bit pricey but I’ve always found my experience, food and service quality, there to be in line with my bill at the end. I can’t honestly say that for much of Seattle dining.

ThxToni January 9, 2025 (7:29 pm)

Toni long time West Seattle service industry person came up through the ranks from server in Admiral to manager at West 5.
She gave my daughter, Anna and some of her friends their first service jobs, experiences that parents and kids greatly appreciated.
It was a delightful surprise when she took the reins after West 5’s demise to open Camp West.
Please support this local gem.

Colby January 9, 2025 (10:10 pm)

Reply

100% agree, Toni is amazing! She has always taken care of my wife and I when we come in. From the West 5 days to Camp West.Now If I can talk her into bringing the meatloaf sandwich to Camp West.

N January 10, 2025 (7:59 am)

So now that the restaurant workers are getting paid decent wages perhaps tips can be skipped like other countries.

Cid January 10, 2025 (8:27 am)

Planning to come for dinner there soon. Recommended by friends. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the management, food and staff.

Benjamin January 10, 2025 (10:08 am)

What N said. The increase in the minimum wage for workers that are making decent tips is a real issue. Those tips show that the customer is willing to pay more than the menu price, but the restaurant owner is legally barred from distributing that $. * I worked in hospitality for 10 years. * I understand that many minimum wage workers do not get any or good tips.

EL Markey January 10, 2025 (8:14 pm)

Well this looks like a really good reason to try Camp West ! I’ve never been … so it’s time. Smart marketing for repeat business.

Karie S January 12, 2025 (4:25 am)

I incurred the wrath of my fellow full-time professional petsitters by NOT raising my prices with the new year. I love my hard-working, kind, considerate West Seattle customers, and they have been wonderful to me. I am tired of the high high prices of everyday, ordinary items, and true bargains are few and far between. I am very happy to give them a bit of easement in their hectic lives.