Small business owners say that they are having trouble keeping up with the inflation costs. But one of the bigger issues is supply chain disruptions.

The owners say that they are having trouble keeping up with the inflation costs. But one of the bigger issues is supply chain disruptions. They want their businesses to succeed, but coming back from all the issues is not easy.

The owners of Steel Wheel Tavern in Ridgewood are not about to risk alienating loyal customers.

“We’re not going to go and change our pricing so drastically that it affects people,” says owner Glenn Carlough.

Carlough says prices may rise 50 cents or $1. But he says that won’t keep pace.

This is especially true due to breaks in the supply chain. Carlough is paying nearly 40% more for beef. He says chicken is up almost 20%.

The only solution is getting more happy customers.

“We’re going through this time. We’re going to do it with a smile and we’re going to hope that people love our stuff and come back,” Carlough says.

And it is not just restaurants. Biltmore Tuxedoes is paying about 10% more for clothing and accessories – if they can get the inventory.

“You never know where or when it’s going to strike. At one point we had a problem getting brown shoes. As one point we had a problem getting bow ties,” says owner Rich Ardito.

He says the pandemic exposed an existing problem – an industry that used to be made in the United States is now coming from China or factories in the Caribbean.

Wholesalers don’t keep up the same inventory, with COVID-19 persisting and many retail stores closing.

“So if we need to get a jacket or we need to get a vest, where normally we would be able to get them inside of a week, now we have to wait weeks and sometimes months,” says Ardito.

Some business owners are optimistic. With COVID retreating and spring approaching, parties are scheduled and restaurants are bustling again.

But there is also a concern that as people pay more for gas and groceries, they may not have as much or be unwilling to spend as much on a night out.