As of Jan. 1, Seattle’s minimum wage increased by 79 cents, reaching $20.76 per hour for all businesses, regardless of size. The other half of the building will also close for in-person business later this year, another casualty of Seattle’s rising business costs.

Seattle's latest minimum wage increase proved to be the final straw for one restaurant owner, who decided she was better off to just close her doors for good.

The minimum wage in New York has increased by 50 cents, now reaching $15.50 an hour in our area. For full-time employees, the additional 50 cents per hour amounts to about $1,000 a year before taxes.