Restaurant Industry Booming in Anchorage

Over the last two years Anchorage has added 600 new jobs in the restaurant industry

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By Kate McPherson
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Story Created: Jun 21, 2012 at 8:18 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 22, 2012 at 8:45 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Anchorage is a great place for food lovers, and there are plenty of new restaurants to choose from.

Over the last two years Anchorage has added 600 new jobs in the restaurant industry.

The Rodriguz family ate lunch at the newly opened Pho Vietnam 3, in Jewel Lake, on Thursday.

“We just like eating out at different places, trying new places, this is our first time here,” said father of three Ryan Rodriguz.

"It's just easier to come out, and have somebody to prepare your meal, and we can sit down and enjoy our time together. It's easier on her, and it's easier on me, and I don't mind spending the money and having some time,” said Rodriguz.

The restaurant industry provided 20,000 people with work last year and that number is continuing to rise.

Economists say the growth in the restaurant industry is a long-term trend, though it took a slight hit in 2008 with the recession. Since then though, employment figures have been steadily rising.

"When we look at Anchorage and the demographics, Anchorage has a very high family and household income and that has to be a positive for the restaurant industry,” said Neal Fried, economist with the state Department of Labor.

"A little less than 50 percent of the Anchorage consumer's food dollar goes to eating away from home,” said Fried.
 

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Israel said on Sunday, Jun 24 at 12:00 AM

Yeah, more min wage jobs for a college graduate not to mention discrimination on not hiring anybody other than their own, such as the vietnamese places. Why the @*!@ are you bragging that its helping our economy industry?

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Dan said on Wednesday, Aug 8 at 11:40 AM

It's not just about waiters and cooks. These business's allow owners to buy homes, cars, clothes, karatee classes for kids, movie tickets, gas for fishing trips to Kenai and Homer, computers... and etc. If your a college graduate and can't get a decent job, or figure out why this is a good thing I suggest you put the books down and start a business of your own and get a real education that obviously college denied you.

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