<div class="tldr">On Monday, June 10, at least five Brooklyn cafés posted notices of early closures for the week. Owners pointed to higher labor expenses as the primary reason.</div>\n\n<ul class="key-facts">\n <li>Butler and Café Regular now close at 3 p.m. daily.</li>\n <li>Minimum wage for NYC service workers increased to $16/hour in April 2024.</li>\n <li>Staffing costs cited by owners as main factor behind schedule changes.</li>\n</ul>\n\nSeveral well-known Brooklyn coffee shops announced reduced hours this week. Butler, with locations in Williamsburg and DUMBO, now closes at 3 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Café Regular in Park Slope posted similar hours and noted "staffing constraints."\n\nOperators at both Butler and Café Regular referenced recent increases in minimum wage as a key factor. New York State raised the minimum for service workers to $16 per hour in April 2024. Rising payroll taxes and health insurance also contributed to cost pressures.\n\nCustomers were notified via social media and paper signs at entrances. Some regulars expressed disappointment, while others said they understood the decision. Baristas at Café Regular report shorter shifts and fewer workdays.\n\nAccording to the NYC Hospitality Alliance, smaller independent businesses are most affected by changes in labor costs. The group estimates that about 10% of Brooklyn cafés have shortened hours since the start of 2024.\n\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>\n<h2>Which Brooklyn cafés have changed their hours this week?</h2>\n<p>Butler (Williamsburg and DUMBO) and Café Regular (Park Slope) announced earlier closing times, along with at least three other independent Brooklyn cafés. Most now close at 3 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Notices were posted on June 10, 2024.</p>\n<h2>Why are these cafés reducing their hours?</h2>\n<p>Owners cite increased labor costs as the primary reason. The minimum wage for service workers in New York City rose to $16/hour in April 2024. Other costs, including payroll taxes and benefits, have put additional pressure on small cafés.</p>\n<h2>Is this a temporary or permanent change?</h2>\n<p>Most owners described the reduced hours as an interim measure. They plan to review scheduling and expenses over the next month. Some cafés said they may return to standard hours if business conditions improve or labor costs stabilize.</p>