[Mpls] Re: Smoking ban: Night One

[david at tcq.net]

> It's nice that the anti-smoking crowd got out to try to offset the coming
> damage. On day, and "the sham is shattered," huh? Pretty quick to make that
> declaration! Here's a different perspective from a bar owner in Minneapolis:
> 
> "Happy Hour at Stub and Herb's- Day one of the smoking ban.

Since I made the first Day One post, let me note I explicitly said it was
too soon to judge.

As to the Stub 'N' Herbs report, let me just say it may show that tantrums
are a bad business strategy. By loudly complaining about the smoking ban
(and suing), Stubs has told smoking customers how awful the ban is, in
effect telling them to go to St. Paul. Meanwhile, the message to
non-smokers is also hostile, in effect telling them to go elsewhere. Who's
left to be your customers?

Stubs, of course, has the First Amendment right to say exactly what they've
said and do what they've done. So, apparently, do past and potential
customers...
Again, too soon to say  how this will ultimately play out.

David Brauer
Kingfield