Bremen local businesses add surcharge as egg prices continue to rise

BREMEN, Ind. -- Carmen’s Diner and Heaven Sakes Bakery in Bremen are local businesses that are feeling the strain from the rising of egg prices due to the on-going national bird flu outbreak.

Carmen Gallegos, the diner’s owner says the price surge has forced her to add the egg surcharge to menu items in order to stay afloat pushing some of the cost off on customers refusing to crack under pressure.

“So, this is only a temporary fix. It won't be forever, but it was, it was actually our customers' idea who care about us running the business and keeping up with the cost of everything and inflation going up.” said Gallegos.

The USDA reported egg prices have risen more 15% in a month making this the largest increase we have seen in a decade.

Carmen’s Diner uses 5 to 6 cases of eggs every week costing her between 600-700$ dollars.

“You used to be able to get a dozen of eggs for $1.25 $1.59, and $1.89 depending on where they were on sale. Now you get a dozen of eggs for up to 5,6,7 dollars for a dozen of eggs.” said Gallegos.

Tabitha Felton the owner of Heaven Sakes Bakery, says eggs are the backbone of the menu but with cost soaring the owners must make a tough decision.

“I definitely want to bring more items out front. It's kind of limited. Some of the recipes had to be put on hold until the egg prices come down, because I just don't want people to pay those high prices on some of the things. So, yeah, I'm definitely hoping that egg prices come down pretty quickly,” said Felton.

The bakery owner says they are feeling the impact because eggs are used for most menu items from cupcakes to pastries; they easily run through 20-30 dozen eggs weekly.

Carmen’s Diner has added a 75-cent surcharge, and the bakery adds a 25 to 50 cent surcharge to all egg-based items.

The diner owner says the community has been very supportive and adding the surcharge was actually the feedback she received from her customers.

Both owners don’t want customers to be alarmed as they say their egg surcharges are temporary, and they hope all menu prices can go back to normal in coming months if egg prices decrease.