March 13, 2010
SMOKING BAN: Early Friday Night a Bad One, According to Cabbie
People Aren’t Taking Taxis to and From Bars
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – On a rainy Friday night in mid March, especially following one of the worst winter’s for cabin fever, you might expect the club scene in downtown Huntington to be booming. After all, Spring break is still over a week away.
But, there is the Marshall bar crowd and the older bar hoppers that walk purposefully up and down Fourth (and other) Avenue. Generally, the college age dudes and co-eds who frequent a club such as “The Union,” do not peek inside free standing venues serving alcohol and lottery games, rather than live music or a disc jockey.
Last night marked the first weekend evening in Cabell County with the ‘no smoking’ ban in effect. Although relatively early in the evening by nightlife standards (about 10:45 p.m.), a cab driver known as “Three Dollar Dan” had already assessed the evening --- a bad one for cab drivers.
“Dan” explained that the ‘older crowd’ that frequent “dives” such as Maxie’s and Lilli’s Place often have vehicles but in order to avoid the temptation to drive while intoxicated, they take a cab to and from their favorite watering hole.
The driver picked up this fare in less than five minutes from placing the call. I was impressed; normally, a Friday night means a 30 to 45 minute wait. Not last night.
“Dan” told me that the smoking ban has had a tremendous impact on cab drivers. He told me that one Fourth Avenue bar has closed at 1 a.m. nightly since the ban took effect. The reason? No business. He hinted it might have been much earlier, but the owner has a rule that even on ‘dead’ nights, the door is not locked until 1 a.m.
“Older people are not going to stand out in the rain and smoke,” Three Dollar Dan said. In fact, he questioned the usefulness of the no smoking within ten feet of the door when applied to the central business district.
“Are they going to write a ticket for someone who walks down the sidewalk past Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar,” asked the cabbie.
He questioned one of the ban’s concepts --- provide a non-smoking bar for patrons to visit. Three Dollar Dan cited Applebees, and the numerous restaurants at Pullman Square as non-smoking nightspots that do serve alcohol (like the Comedy Club).
On the way home, he slowed down and pointed out a well lighted but empty neighborhood bar.
The driver did not give specifics but he acknowledged that venues such as Hank’s , the Elk’s , Moose, VFW, and American Legion have less patronage since most of their ‘members’ chat, drink, play the lottery and smoke.
Obviously, those habitual smokers of an older age can not simply go cold turkey. So, where are they? Either the town’s doing a lot less socializing or the patrons have adjusted their choices. Ironically, having to travel a longer distance (Wayne or Putnam County) to light up may add another unwanted statistic --- more of those who can’t puff in Cabell may be driving home inhibited by alcohol.
And, of course, Three Dollar Dan and cabbies like him are receiving fewer calls and less fares. Bet no one calculated a decrease in taxi fares as one of the economic impacts of the ban?
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SMOKING BAN: Early Friday Night a Bad One, According to Cabbie
People Aren’t Taking Taxis to and From Bars
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – On a rainy Friday night in mid March, especially following one of the worst winter’s for cabin fever, you might expect the club scene in downtown Huntington to be booming. After all, Spring break is still over a week away.
But, there is the Marshall bar crowd and the older bar hoppers that walk purposefully up and down Fourth (and other) Avenue. Generally, the college age dudes and co-eds who frequent a club such as “The Union,” do not peek inside free standing venues serving alcohol and lottery games, rather than live music or a disc jockey.
Last night marked the first weekend evening in Cabell County with the ‘no smoking’ ban in effect. Although relatively early in the evening by nightlife standards (about 10:45 p.m.), a cab driver known as “Three Dollar Dan” had already assessed the evening --- a bad one for cab drivers.
“Dan” explained that the ‘older crowd’ that frequent “dives” such as Maxie’s and Lilli’s Place often have vehicles but in order to avoid the temptation to drive while intoxicated, they take a cab to and from their favorite watering hole.
The driver picked up this fare in less than five minutes from placing the call. I was impressed; normally, a Friday night means a 30 to 45 minute wait. Not last night.
“Dan” told me that the smoking ban has had a tremendous impact on cab drivers. He told me that one Fourth Avenue bar has closed at 1 a.m. nightly since the ban took effect. The reason? No business. He hinted it might have been much earlier, but the owner has a rule that even on ‘dead’ nights, the door is not locked until 1 a.m.
“Older people are not going to stand out in the rain and smoke,” Three Dollar Dan said. In fact, he questioned the usefulness of the no smoking within ten feet of the door when applied to the central business district.
“Are they going to write a ticket for someone who walks down the sidewalk past Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar,” asked the cabbie.
He questioned one of the ban’s concepts --- provide a non-smoking bar for patrons to visit. Three Dollar Dan cited Applebees, and the numerous restaurants at Pullman Square as non-smoking nightspots that do serve alcohol (like the Comedy Club).
On the way home, he slowed down and pointed out a well lighted but empty neighborhood bar.
The driver did not give specifics but he acknowledged that venues such as Hank’s , the Elk’s , Moose, VFW, and American Legion have less patronage since most of their ‘members’ chat, drink, play the lottery and smoke.
Obviously, those habitual smokers of an older age can not simply go cold turkey. So, where are they? Either the town’s doing a lot less socializing or the patrons have adjusted their choices. Ironically, having to travel a longer distance (Wayne or Putnam County) to light up may add another unwanted statistic --- more of those who can’t puff in Cabell may be driving home inhibited by alcohol.
And, of course, Three Dollar Dan and cabbies like him are receiving fewer calls and less fares. Bet no one calculated a decrease in taxi fares as one of the economic impacts of the ban?
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