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by Darkseid
on Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:33 am |
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Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007
DAYTON — Bar stools stood empty at the counter of Kelly's Corner Cafe
last week.
On July 11, the neighborhood landmark served a few last drinks before
closing the business entirely. "After today, Kelly's will be closed
for an indefinite period of time," said Kelly Krueger, the cafe's
owner.
"I need to step back, regroup, explore my options and 'give it up to
God.' "
According to Krueger, the store lost business after the smoking
ban. "There was a significant difference since we had to enforce it,"
she said.
"Ninety percent of my customers smoke, and when the cash flow is cut
in half, basically overnight, it doesn't take long before I can't
afford the supplies and manpower it takes to run a business."
"I don't want to come off as 'poor me.' " Krueger said. While she
believes she could have managed the store better, the smoking ban was
the last straw.
Outside, the building displayed a sign boldly asking a question all
the employees wanted to know of the people who voted the act into
legislation: "Where the hell are all you nonsmokers?"
Krueger didn't give up without a fight. Before closing the store down
entirely, Krueger continuously cut items from the menu until there
were only a handful of choices left.
While other businesses were able to counter the effects by building
patios outside, Krueger didn't have the space or money.
The business, previously known as Angie's, has been in the Belmont
business district since 1938 and has been owned by Krueger for more
than six years. "I would really like to see this place work," Krueger
said. "There are a lot of people that care about this place."
And she said 10 people have lost their jobs.
"I don't think chain restaurants are effected as much (by the smoking
ban). It's hitting the mom-and-pop businesses the hardest," said
Krueger.
"The saddest part to me is about our personal and property rights
being taken away."
"It makes me sad that it's come to this on my watch," Krueger
said. "I hope this place will be back someday whether it's with me or
not, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that happens."
Contact this writer at awright@coxohio. com. |
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Darkseid
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1303
Location: Peoples Republik of oHEILo
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by dumpstermcnuggets
on Sat Jul 21, 2007 6:20 pm |
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Darkseid wrote: Staff Writer
Thursday, July 19, 2007
DAYTON — Bar stools stood empty at the counter of Kelly's Corner Cafe
last week.
On July 11, the neighborhood landmark served a few last drinks before
closing the business entirely. "After today, Kelly's will be closed
for an indefinite period of time," said Kelly Krueger, the cafe's
owner.
"I need to step back, regroup, explore my options and 'give it up to
God.' "
According to Krueger, the store lost business after the smoking
ban. "There was a significant difference since we had to enforce it,"
she said.
"Ninety percent of my customers smoke, and when the cash flow is cut
in half, basically overnight, it doesn't take long before I can't
afford the supplies and manpower it takes to run a business."
"I don't want to come off as 'poor me.' " Krueger said. While she
believes she could have managed the store better, the smoking ban was
the last straw.
Outside, the building displayed a sign boldly asking a question all
the employees wanted to know of the people who voted the act into
legislation: "Where the hell are all you nonsmokers?"
Krueger didn't give up without a fight. Before closing the store down
entirely, Krueger continuously cut items from the menu until there
were only a handful of choices left.
While other businesses were able to counter the effects by building
patios outside, Krueger didn't have the space or money.
The business, previously known as Angie's, has been in the Belmont
business district since 1938 and has been owned by Krueger for more
than six years. "I would really like to see this place work," Krueger
said. "There are a lot of people that care about this place."
And she said 10 people have lost their jobs.
"I don't think chain restaurants are effected as much (by the smoking
ban). It's hitting the mom-and-pop businesses the hardest," said
Krueger.
"The saddest part to me is about our personal and property rights
being taken away."
"It makes me sad that it's come to this on my watch," Krueger
said. "I hope this place will be back someday whether it's with me or
not, and I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that happens."
Contact this writer at awright@coxohio. com.
Totally agree w/ya, I think the only bars that might be surviving at all in oHEILo are the ones that have outdoor patios(and even w/those, the bars don't have the patrons they once did, since nonsmokers could give a f*** less about going to bars).
What damn hypocrites nonsmokers are, for saying that they'll suddenly patronize bars when they go smokeless! 
And also, from my personal experience of observing bars/taverns in the town I was attending college(Illinois State) in after Normal, IL passed a smoking ban, I can definately say that all the business shifted to the outdoor patio areas of bars that had them, and the inside of bars largely became dead as hell, after Normal's ban started in January 2007.
I think, without question, all the (Normal, IL) smoking ban has done is definately affected bar attendance/patronage within Normal, and just shifted people to attending parties in off-campus apartments. Not to mention, it also shifted bar patronage south to Bloomington, IL(since their ban didn't take effect for bars, until July 1st of this year). Wouldn't be surprised, if there eventually are a few casualties/closures, as a result of both the Normal and Bloomington smoking bans..... |
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dumpstermcnuggets
Enthusiastic Smoker
Joined: Nov 06, 2006
Posts: 216
Location: Health Fascism Capital of the Midwest, Illinois
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by Darkseid
on Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:11 pm |
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I posted this on a local (toledo) board-two rabid anti-smokers popped up-one showed a picture of a guy who claimed he lost his jaw due to chewing tobacco, with the message "chewing is all that will soon be left for you crybaby smokers".
The other one accused be of being "dishonest", since I'd "made it look in the header like the ban was the one and only factor in its closing." |
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Darkseid
Smoking Lobby Sponsor
Joined: Jun 13, 2006
Posts: 1303
Location: Peoples Republik of oHEILo
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