Opening a Closed Shop

Why is Europe having such a hard time creating jobs? Ask Svatoslav Kodytek and Tomas Lenc, two florists from southern Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Soon after their country joined the European Union last May, they tried to open two shops across the Austrian border, in the quaint medieval townlet of Gmünd and in nearby Waidhofen. They planned to hire locals, but ran into roadblocks from the very start. First, Gmünd's labor office told them bluntly that no more flower shops were needed in the area. Undeterred, they set up their stores. Authorities then took two months to register their firm...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!