HOLLAND, Mich. — On a busy day, servers and bartenders at Crazy Horse can make hundreds of dollars off of tips.
"Significantly more than minimum wage," said Alicia Plockmeyer, manager and bartender at Crazy Horse Steakhouse.
Plockmeyer and Amber Prins have been working at the Holland restaurant for the past two decades.
"I'm a 25-year server, Amber too, and we've chosen to make serving our career like, you know, I had a degree out of college, but I chose to do this because I love doing this and we're rewarded with tips, and we do make more than $12 to $15 an hour," said Plockmeyer.
A recent ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court will raise the state's minimum wage to $12 per hour, and will do away with the state's tip credit by 2029—meaning the rule that minimum wage can make up 38% of general minimum wage will be thrown out.
"We choose to be tipped employees," said Prins. "If I wanted a minimum wage job, I would be at one. So I truly love what I do. I've been here for 24 years. My customers are like family to me. They take great care of me."
Next year, minimum wage will start at $5.99 for tipped workers, and by 2029, according to Plockmeyer, their minimum wage will jump to $15.
Something both say, could be consequential to business operations and customers.
"All of a sudden your $14 burger is now $24. You might not be able to tip as much, and it really will affect probably how much we are making per hour in the long run," said Plockmeyer.
Those for the elimination of the tip credit, like the advocacy group One Fair Wage, state raising minimum wage for tipped workers will help attract workers who have left the industry for better paying jobs, with the addition of continued tips.
The staff at Crazy Horse will be taking the day off on Sept. 18 so they can advocate for their position on tipping.