Beverly Location of Panera Bread to Close December 16

Beverly’s Panera Bread location on 95th Street will shutter later this month, and Ald. Matt O-Shea (19th) said the minimum wage hike is at least partly to blame.

Representatives from the Panera, 2314 W. 95th St. had been weighing leaving the location for weeks, O’Shea told DNAInfo Wednesday. The City Council’s decision to increase minimum wage to $13 an hour over the next five years could have played a part in the final call.

“Is minimum wage a contributing factor? Yes. Is it the sole reason? Absolutely not,” the alderman told DNAinfo Chicago Wednesday.

A higher minimum wage could force other local businesses along 95th Street and Western Avenue to make tough decisions, O’Shea told DNAInfo—particularly those located close to the suburbs. Doing business in the suburbs is becoming more affordable than in Chicago, O’Shea said.

“After yesterday’s news we’re going to see other businesses making transitions, whether that means closing their doors or moving across the street to the suburbs,” O’Shea said.

Panera staff confirmed the closing in a news release.

“For years, the Panera Bakery-Cafe on 95th Street has been privileged to serve and feel the support of the community. We continually invest in efforts to improve and renovate bakery-cafes to ensure that our guests have the dining experience they have come to appreciate from the brand. Unfortunately, in some locations, it is difficult to achieve the standards we believe will meet guest expectations.”

Read more on DNAInfo.