Something to Hope For

This might be the best place to talk about the staffing shortage in our region, as it so clearly manifests here in the ever-delayed opening of the autonomous restaurant on the campus. "We're hiring all positions!" is common to see at any of the region's wineries. The weeks just before Memorial Day are perhaps the most hopeful of most businesses in the region - staffing up, shoring up systems, and bracing for the crush of the population swelling from ~110k to a half-million residents, and it gives me anxiety to see how many of the wine businesses can't execute their visions due to lack of staff. Generally speaking - this can be solved with better living wage, better benefits, better work-life balance; and eliminating toxic workplace norms like "we're a family" and lack of transparency. Black Star Farms Suttons Bay has so many staff I encountered that have worked there for more than 5 years, as well as some "greenhorns" getting trained before the rest of Michigan and all of Ohio present themselves thirsty. What would keep someone coming back for work except a workplace that provides the needed while eliminating the toxic? If Black Star Farms Suttons Bay can't fully staff up, then what can the rest of us hope for?