Group of regulars at coffee shop in Shaler talks about economic issues with 11 News

SHALER, Pa. — At Ruckus Coffee Gallery and Cafe in Shaler, you can grab a coffee and always find friends to share it with.

11 News pulled up a chair to talk to a group of regulars about the economy.

Everything goes up except their checks.

Raymond Miller lives in a senior high rise.

He tries to look out for his neighbors who are being squeezed.

They are on a fixed income. With the price of food, there are people who used to drive, but can’t because of the price of everything, even though they want to drive they can’t afford the car insurance, gas.

Also at the table is Don Stultz, an electrician with his own company.

He’s ready to hang it up and retire.

“I can’t afford to buy the material anymore,” said Stultz. “It’s triple price, when you go to do a job, it’s too high it’s terrible, then you can’t get the stuff anyway.”

Chris Rauktis opened up Ruckus Cafe a little over a year ago.

She’s had to built flexibility into her menu, getting creative with their food offerings.

She’s doing what she can to make sure she still offers her employees a fair wage.

“Rising food costs, rising costs for my employees, if they can’t pay their bills. I feel bad. That’s a concern. We think of them as family, we want everyone to be in a good place,” Rauktis said.

Kim Piekarski, a Shaler schoolteacher, also worries about others, making sure her students have what they need when they start the school year.

Food, students having access not just to school supplies, but clothing, it’s a big deal.

There’s a recognition, things are different, things are even tough.

But there’s also hope and optimism.

83-year-old Virginia Imhof probably summed it up best.

“I’m going to stand tall and do it. We’ve been in tough places before and we will do it again. This too will pass,” she said.

And that is something we can all drink to.

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