Burgaw food tax

Eating out in Burgaw may be getting a little more expensive. The town is one step closer to taxing diners who frequent Burgaw restaurants.

The tax will add one percent to the total bill at all Burgaw eateries.

Senator R.C. Soles hopes to introduce a bill proposing the tax during this summer’s legislative session.

Town officials say the revenue collected will go toward attracting tourists to Burgaw.

Still, many local restaurants oppose the tax. They are not convinced it will be good for business.

Emily Bryant, who works at Courthouse Coffee, said, “I just think restaurants should be trying to assist restaurants being established, rather than discouraging that.”

Bryant said more often than not, new restaurants in Burgaw don’t make it.

The town manager said that’s because there’s not enough demand and if more people visited, then demand for new restaurants will increase.