Owner of Liberty Bar predicts “local independent businesses WILL close”, now opening second bar

Andrew Friedman owns Liberty Bar on Capitol Hill. He was one of the most outspoken opponents of Seattle’s $15 minimum wage law, and helped lead the fringe Forward Seattle effort to repeal the law.

What they said

  • 3/26/2014: “Your favorite indie shop is out of business if $15 an hour happens… Local independent businesses WILL close, many of your neighbors WILL be out of work.”
  • 7/2/2014: “My business in particular is in danger because for every one dollar in payroll wage that increases, that's at least $20,000 a year in added cost to me."

What happened

Since the first minimum wage increase took effect, Friedman has opened a second bar, named Good Citizen.

Irony intended?