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The August bill alone worked out to about 33% of the shop’s rent.
Photo Credit: iStock
A Phoenix coffee and wine shop’s electric bill has climbed so high that keeping the lights on has become a real business question.
Its co-owner is now adding cocktails, beer, wine, and more food to the menu to help cover the cost.
Koral Casillas, who co-owns Strip Mall and Monsoon Market, told AZFamily that the shop’s APS bill reached $1,500 in August and $1,700 in September.
Her August bill alone worked out to about 33% of the shop’s rent.
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“I thought that maybe we were behind on our bill. Like, oh, maybe this is two months’ worth of utility bill,” Casillas said. “When I did the math about what our utility bill in August was to what we’re paying in rent, it was 33%,” Casillas said. “I was really shocked by it.”
As Casillas deals with those costs, APS is asking the Arizona Corporation Commission, the state regulator for utility rates, to approve a roughly 14% increase. Going solar is one of the best ways for homeowners to cut their home energy costs. If you’re looking to compare options, EnergySage offers free solar installation estimates and lets users compare quotes.
Casillas also said residential bills in the same plaza are climbing.
The November election could influence how this plays out. Two Arizona Corporation Commission seats are on the ballot, and the winners will help decide how utilities justify recovering costs from customers.
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At a debate, the candidates offered sharply different takes on utility oversight.
Democratic candidate Jonathan Hill said, “They saw one increase, a second increase, then a third increase that’s about to hit them right after the election.”
Democratic candidate Clara Pratte stated, “It’s really difficult for me to hear we’ve made decisions and trimmed some fat, because that’s not what the record has proven out over the last five years.”
Republican incumbent Kevin Thompson shared, “We’ll cut things where we think they need to be trimmed and try to hold the utilities accountable, but at the end of the day the utilities are allowed to recover their costs to provide service.”
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Strip Mall, meanwhile, is broadening its own menu with cocktails, beer, wine, and more food in hopes that customers will spend more per visit. The shop is also offering $10 off a $50 gift card to help cover the power bill and prepare for the next one before November’s election.
“It’s been a steady rise and it hit that point where I’m starting to question the sustainability of running a small business and keeping the lights on in Phoenix,” Casillas said.
These stories dig into Arizona utility policy, APS solar fees, and other decisions that can keep electricity costs high for customers.
• In Arizona, regulators gutted energy efficiency standards that had saved ratepayers $1.7 billion.
• In Scottsdale, one homeowner cut electric bills to zero before APS added a fee.
• Utility companies were using customer money to keep electricity bills high, a watchdog alleged.
• New data center contracts exposed disturbing trends in rate structures that could raise everyday bills.
• Utilities drew scrutiny for spending electricity bill revenue on projects customers may never use.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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