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Madison bars say revenues dissipating with smoking ban
Madison (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.”