I feel like this problem grew as the ability for the middle class to enjoy leisurely actives grew. There was a time when the MC grew, and could spend money and things were great. It was unsustainable, but it took a while for the prices to catch up - eg. ski towns had housing before ski'ing was generally popular, and slowly it was bought faster than replenished and now that skiing is popular, the demand far outstrips supply. Over time they priced out service work, and now we'll need to swing back to a state where the middle class no longer can afford those luxuries, and the service workers have to be more middle class because they're paid so well to cover the costs.