Tax Will Have Diners Thinking Twice, Owners Say

The modified entertainment tax will generate about $20 million, according to Mayor Jim Suttle.

Lo Sole Mio owner Don Lo Sole said his restaurant has been losing customers.

"You have the person that used to eat out a couple times a week. Now, they've cut that down to once a week; and the person that used to go once a week, it might be once every two weeks or three weeks," Lo Sole said.

Tim Difaro opened Buffalo Company's second location in July on Saddle Creek Road.

"It puts a strain on us, especially when we're right in the middle of a startup," Difaro said.

Suttle said the city's hundreds of bars, restaurants and caterers are an untapped revenue source for the city trying to close a $33.5 million budget gap.

"I understand threes a dilemma down there, but why just single out restaurant owners?" Difaro said.

Customers said even if the tax amounts to just a few bucks on their tabs, it'll make them think twice.

"With everyone I talked to, they'll probably cut back that much more, too," said an unidentified diner at Lo Sole Mio.

LoSole said he knows the city has a full plate, but he hopes restaurant alone won't have to foot the bill.

"Everyone's affected by it, so as a team you need to all pitch in together," Lo Sole said.