Posted on 07/18/2005 9:29:56 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
MADISON, Wis. (AP) Some Madison tavern owners say their revenues are dissipating because of the city's smoking ban, while some customers say they are leaving for out-of-city pubs for a smoke and a drink.
The city enacted an ordinance that bans smoking in bars and restaurants July 1, joining about 20 other Wisconsin cities with some kind of ban.
Madison's move created a firestorm of controversy, with smokers accusing the City Council of trying to run their lives. Already a faction of aldermen wants to repeal the ban, and Republican legislators are trying to pass a bill that would water down local ordinances statewide.
Terry Olson, co-owner of Ole 'N Rick's North Side Inn in Madison, said business is down 60 percent and he is cutting back shifts for three or four bartenders starting Monday.
``If we can't make it with that, we'll have to lay somebody off,'' he said.
Several other tavern owners are also reporting sales declines.
``It's terrible, absolutely terrible,'' said Cal Beecher, owner of the Tip Top Tavern. ``I've been here 32 years. It's going to close me down.''
Owners said that blue-collar bars on the city's East Side are being especially hard hit by the new rules. First-time violators face up to $125 in fines if they don't quit or leave. A second offense carries a maximum $500 fine.
Ryan Eisenhut of Cottage Grove, said he used to hit Madison bars at least three times a week on his way home from his job on the other side of the city. On Wednesday, he was at Tully's II in Monona.
``The downtown bars are fun, but not anymore. The fact that they don't have smoking now, I won't go there,'' he said. ``Wait until it's 10 below and they try to get people out there in the parking lot (to smoke).''
Patty Telvick, general manager of the Buckeye Inn, said her regulars have disappeared and nonsmokers have not taken their place.
``Where are my nonsmokers that the city promised me?'' Telvick said.
Dave Wiganowsky, owner of Wiggie's, said nonsmokers do not spend enough to make up for the loss of customers.
``We had two nonsmokers,'' Wiganowsky said. ``They bought two cans of pop and said, 'Isn't this wonderful?' and walked out. That won't pay the light bill.''
Meanwhile, bars just outside Madison are reporting an increase in customers.
In Monona, the Silver Eagle has seen ``a lot of new faces'' and gets calls every day about whether smoking is allowed, said shift manager Angie Morris. On a recent weeknight, the bar approached its capacity crowd of 120 people.
In Fitchburg, Monkeyshines has ``picked up quite a few customers,'' said Jason Cushman, day manager.
``I know I've got a couple saying they're completely done with Madison because of this, that it's an infringement on their rights,'' Cushman said. ``They don't hate the places they used to go. They feel sorry for them. They just won't drink there because of the smoking ban.''
PING
Same happened in NYC for a little while but then revenues went up. It's so easy to get used to a smoke-free bar.
How dare these selfish bar owners not see the wisdom of the city council..yes they will go out of business, but doggone it..they won't have any more smoke, 1st hand, 2nd hand, 3rd hand etc..to ruin their lives..they should thank their lucky stars that they have such wonderful caring leaders to help them run their lives..
---- ``Where are my nonsmokers that the city promised me?'' Telvick said.----
They never appear. The city promises them. The non-smoking groups promise them. Callers on local talk shows promise them.
They never show up.
So the questions is, are the people saying business will increase after a smoking ban stupid, or just liars?
Different story when the entire state is smoke free compared to a city where a few minute drive provides the opportunity to carry on as you did in the past.
PA border town bars are booming with NY states smoking ban.
As a non-smoker, I agree 100% with local governments on this.
Smoke at home if you want to kill your family. Let me enjoy a smoke-free restaurant/bar.
Smoke at home if you want to kill your family. Let me enjoy a smoke-free restaurant/bar.
As a supporter of freedom, liberty, private property, and the free market I say start your own bar and don't allow smoking.
As another non-smoker, I agree 100% with the property owners. (Granted, after Kelo "ownership" is a fuzzy concept).
WE heard the same sort of nonsense over proabition, except then they still thought that they had to pass a constitutional amendment.
Sure you are one the right site?
Awwwwwww. Fewer people smoking and boozing? How tragic.
But keep on thinking these smoking bans are all about 2nd hand smoke at bars and the illusion the law is to protect patrons.
but I thought people went to bars for their health. isn't that where all the triathletes hang out?
You mean revenues from bars, not at bars, in NYC. State revenues from NYC bars have gone up for three main reasons: The tax rate was increased; bars charge more for drinks now; the economy has improved.
The NYC smoking ban (since superseded by the state ban) was put in place during a recession following a stock-market plunge and the attack on the World Trade Centers.
A beer on 46th St. in NYC costs $7 a bottle, more than the price of a six-pack across the river in New Jersey. That's exactly the way I'd treat my new "friends" who made me get rid of my old friends and trashed my property rights in the name of totalitarianism.
Same amount of people smoking and boozing. Just doing it at different locations. And with ones home or friends home being the most common, with the reduced cost of the drinks and likely less distance driven, alcohol consumption is likely WAY up.
I should have pointed out in my above post, I was speaking of the NY state ban on smoking
Why don't you just open a smoke-free bar and get rich rather than trash owners'property rights, you smug fascist totalitarian scum.
Ah, that feels better.
Yup. Promises, always promises. These people get involved with things, make promises and disappear. The guarantees fail and the suckers end up screwed.
The thing that gets me is that every liberal I know smokes and they push these agendas knowing they will never visit if they cannot smoke.
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