DENVER — It’s hard to beat a nice day in Denver, with hundreds of activities dispersed throughout the city. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought that to a screeching halt, many customers used tipping as a way to show their gratitude for those who worked while so many stayed home. The pandemic also gave businesses the chance to re-evaluate their tipping model.
Now, many consumers find themselves asking what the added charges are at the bottom of their receipts. Denver7 has a 360 perspective explaining a handful of methods businesses have implemented.
The Bindery is a restaurant, bakery and market rolled into one location in the Lower Highlands. Owner and Chef Linda Hampsten Fox said they opened five years ago, and their layout puts all of their hard work on display in an open kitchen concept.
“We make everything by hand, and it takes a lot of time and dedication… Kind of like Santa’s workshop, you just see all the craft of cooking,” said Hampsten Fox.
As a restaurant that prides themselves on exceptional service, the traditional tipping option for their wait staff is standard.
“We have open tipping for our front of house staff,” said Hampsten Fox. “What I’m seeing is most people are still tipping very well, like 20%, 25%, based on great service.”
When The Bindery was able to reopen to the public after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hampsten Fox said they implemented a 3.5% service fee charge. With so many increases in costs and labor shortages, Hampsten Fox said th
