“Maybe if they paid a decent wage”
The boss can only pay the wages the business can support.
Service sector wages are higher in DC because it is densely populated with highly paid people.
Not all businesses are equal -> not all employee compensation can be equal.
If your business model is dependent on paying the minimum wage then don't be surprised when you are forced to choose your staff from those who can't get jobs for anything higher. And don't be surprised if the response from your customers is like that of the gentleman who started this thread.