Let the history books show that this was the week when The Rapids finally closed, the week when the Muddy Moose did not re-open. The street says it's only a matter of time (getting the needed licenses) until Doris re-opens Dad's restaurant. Feedback on these pages has been unexpectedly strong and lopsided towards convincing Doris to go smoke-free.
56572 is still grieving the death of a man whose death was drug related. In his case the drug was nicotine.
When I was a kid, my sisters and I all smoked. When we married and had kids, our kids all smoked at an early age. Grandma and Grandpa smoked. Mom and Dad smoked. At home and in the car with the windows up. We all smoked whether we were doing the puffing or not.
The right thing to do is for the 56572 City Council, at their next meeting, to pass a no smoking ordinance in all public places (not just City Parks) in 56572. Whether or not the VFW is a public place is up to you. I would argue it is. Doris will have an easier time making it smoke-free.
Don't dilly dally on this decision. Don't wait for Otter Tail County to reconsider, you know how PP feels about it. Skip the hearings if you can. Be fair to Doris and let her know now.
One of you is a health care professional. Two of you have just been re-elected. What do you have to fear? If you put it to a popular vote, what chance would smokers have? When it comes to smoking, protect the majority for a change. It's not a question of individual choice, it's a question of public health. Don't all employees have the right to a smoke free workplace? You know it's the right thing to do, so do it, now.
Also for the history books...yoga arrived in 56572 this week and was a hit. More space may be needed to accommodate the demand. The Just for Kix dancers also need more space. In what was also a first for post- WCTU 56572, Bob started advertising his Holiday Specials, including the price, above the door (on the outside) of the 56572 Municipal Liquor Store. Bob would like more space as well. What comes first, the new Fire Hall or the new Liquor Store, does anybody know? The School Board met again with Channel 6 cameras rolling and, from what we hear, microphones thrust into their faces, just in case they had anything to say besides "No comment." Their patience and self-control is to be commended.
13 comments:
Amen! My mother died earlier this spring of COPD (lung disease) caused by many years of smoking. She quit 8 years ago but the damage was done. Ironically the only reason that she started smoking was that she worked in a restaurant and the owner gave his employees free smokes as part of their wage. Restaurants are for eating, not smoking!
It should be up to the business owners if they want to go smoke free, not the city council.
If it's smoke-free, I will visit an establishment and leave my money there.
It it's not smoke-free, I won't go at all.
Simple as that.
Having to eat while breathing cigarette smoke, even when sitting in the "non-smoking" section, is one of the most disgusting things I can think of.
Sure...it can be up to the business owners if they want to go smoke free. But then a huge number of people won't patronize. Does PR need yet another failed restaurant?
Let's hope that Doris listens to the people and goes 'smoke free' I have heard she isn't planning on it... I really hope she reconsiders, it is just the way it should be. If she wants to draw families in it needs to be smoke free. It is a different buisness than Bridges, there isn't a bar. Hopefully the Rapids can become a good place to bring your family and friends and not have to worry about second hand smoke. Even if she is thinking of just keeping the smoking in the front room, it doesn't matter... the smoke wanders.. if she worried about offending the smokers, they will adjust! More and more places are smoke free these days, we just want you to succeed Doris!
Thanks Larry for your last 15 years of service. I know you spent many hours, days, weeks, and years devoted to making this business a success.
I don't think that making the restaurant "smoke-free" would have made a huge difference in your success or lack of success. It may have helped. Unfortunately, there were just not enough people to patronize your business (smokers or non-smokers) to keep it going.
I wish the best of luck to Doris or whoever the new owner may be. It is a rough business and especially in a small town. I know you spent a lot of your past years to make a go of it and did successfully for a number of them. It just gets harder to keep a place going in this economy.
Judging by the number of responses in such a short time regarding going smoke-free, it is painfully obvious that many knew The Rapids as a smokey establishment. I can't say that reputation can be good for business, unless you are a bar. I won't be a customer if smoking is permitted in the new Rapids.
Ok,
not being able to smoke in the park is stupid. it's outside. it's stupid.
BUT,
I do like the solution they've found out here for smoking.
Bars, you can smoke.
Resturants, you can't.
Good luck Doris,hope it works for you, your the best.
Here's an idea...a test for PR.
Go smoke-free initially; commit to a month, maybe two. See what the receipts look like. Then allow smoking on month three. Compare the patronage.
Go with what works.
Thank you Larry for 16 years of the Rapids, a tough business to be in. Your food was always great and the homemade baked rolls and cookies etc. was delicious. Everybody is so interested in the new business owner and what will be done. Not enough people have responded to Larry and the hard work at keeping a eatery alive in 56572 must of been. Thank you Larry, for 16 years of meals, meeting place and a friendly face.
Thanks to Larry, Terry, Lois, Darla & all the Rapids Gang over the years -- absolutely!!! Thank you for your tireless work and friendly service all the mornings we came to see you. Kudos to the gift you shared of warm welcomes, hot coffee and many, many delicious breakfasts.
Doris -- Smoke free -- yes, please!! We are family members of someone who quit smoking 10 years ago, but just died of smoking-related illness. We know the poison in the smoke can harm all of us, and we would appreciate your consideration for a healthy environment. We will happily frequent your new smoke-free establishment without the clouds inside. Please consider other blogger's suggestion for at least a trial month to see how business goes. Many thanks -- Kathy & Randy.
I think all of our postings are in vain. I don't believe that Doris has read the blog. I also have a feeling that she is going to go ahead with NOT being smoke free. That is fine, it will be interesting to see what shakes out after all the 'smoke' clears :)
Best of luck.. but I won't be coming in.
Also, I find it a positive thing that so many people have weighed in on this topic!
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