Mahoning Valley - Nearly four out of ten small businesses did not hire any employees in 2025. A survey from Gusto Inc. found cost pressures are increasing for nearly 60% of small businesses nationwide. 

Some owners are offsetting those challenges by limiting labor costs, while others are forced to make difficult decisions to stay afloat. 

In the Mahoning Valley, High Octane Coffee and Juny Cafe continue serving customers one cup of coffee at a time, but owners said rising supply costs are creating real concerns.

"Definitely, the price increases. We've had beans increase in pricing. We use local milk, and that's also increased in pricing. That's probably the biggest challenge," Danielle Putt, co-owner of Juny Cafe, said.

The owners of Juny Cafe stated that managing higher costs while still paying staff fairly has been difficult. They have also avoided raising prices on their menu, knowing that their customers are facing financial pressures as well. 

"What has been the hardest is to keep our prices down. You know, we don't want to impact our customers, and we know it's hard for people as well. It's been difficult times and it's very hard to keep that balance," Mickael Sopel, co-owner of Juny Cafe, said.

Just a couple miles away from Juny Cafe. High Octane Coffee faces similar challenges. Unlike Juny Cafe, they have had to raise prices to keep up with rising expenses. 

"Everything's just going up, everything. With beans, milk, syrups, there's just so much in the coffee you don't realize that adds up. the whipped cream on top of your coffee, the flavors, the sugar, it all adds up in the end," High Octane Coffee manager, Kathryne DeMaria, said.

Despite the financial strain, both businesses said support from regular customers and the local community has been critical in helping them continue operating through ongoing cost increases.