100 bars and restaurants put out of business in less than two years since Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Bloomington, MN. enacted smoking bans
Smoking bans were single largest contributing factor to worldwide economic meltdown.http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2009/03/worldwide-economic-meltdown-and.html
Update: 300+ Minneapolis and St. Paul area bars and restaurants closed after smoking bans were implemented. These businesses and jobs were eliminated by government intervention long before the economic crisis of '08-'09......and in fact were the cause of the aforementioned economic turmoil.
Just remember what the Nicoderm (RWJF) funded smoking ban lobbyists told lawmakers "...smoking bans are good for business....." They just didn't mention that the business they were referring to was the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical nicotine business:
http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2007/12/minnesota-smoking-ban-triples-demand-of.html
As of 10/1/2007 a new Minnesota statewide smoking ban is beginning to have a negative financial impact on bars and restaurants outside of the metro area, the metro area closings started to occur after Mpls, St. Paul, and Bloomington smoking bans in 4/2005)According to this 2004 end of year Star Tribune article only 14 establishments closed in '04.....the last full year without a smoking ban. (Scroll down to The party's over heading) Since implementing smoking bans the Twin Cities area has seen 150+ closings......the facts speak for themselves, smoking bans are very bad for business.
Minneapolis, Bloomington & St. Paul MN. hospitality establishments out of business since the smoking ban began 3/31/05...... 100 closed in 20 months. Updated list in no particular order (includes updates from MN Monthly, Pioneer Press, Twin Cities Business Journal, KMSP 9 news, WCCO, and more)
1) Hop's Maple Grove, MN.
2) Denny's Restaurant Plymouth, MN.
3) Copelands Minneapolis
4) TGIF Brooklyn Center, MN.
5) TGIF Minneapolis, MN.
6) Nick & Tony's Minneapolis, MN.
7) America's Original Sportsbar Mall of America Bloomington, MN.
8) Jillian's Mall of America Bloomington, MN.
9) Park Tavern Bloomington, MN.
10) Larry's Lounge in Long Lake, MN.
11) Goodfellow's Minneapolis, MN.
12) Chang O'Hara's (bankruptcy protection) St. Paul (Now the Happy Gnome)
13) Mainstreet Bar & Cafe Maple Grove, MN.
14) Bilimbi Bay Minneapolis, MN.
15) Bilimbi Bay Apple Valley, MN.
16) Bilimbi Bay Eden Prairie, MN.
17) MN Sports Cafe
18) Jacobs 101 Minneapolis
19) Café Di Napoli Minneapolis
20) Majors
21) Southtown Bingo Bloomington, MN.
22) Italiani's Plymouth, MN.
23) 3 Muses
24) 13 Moons Minneapolis, MN.
25) 510 Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
26) Amie
27) Chez Foley Wayzata, MN
28) Chives
29) El Rey de Oro
30) Mpls. Café Minneapolis, MN.
31) Soul City Supper Club
32) Tonic of Uptown Minneapolis, MN.
14) Bilimbi Bay Minneapolis, MN.
15) Bilimbi Bay Apple Valley, MN.
16) Bilimbi Bay Eden Prairie, MN.
17) MN Sports Cafe
18) Jacobs 101 Minneapolis
19) Café Di Napoli Minneapolis
20) Majors
21) Southtown Bingo Bloomington, MN.
22) Italiani's Plymouth, MN.
23) 3 Muses
24) 13 Moons Minneapolis, MN.
25) 510 Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
26) Amie
27) Chez Foley Wayzata, MN
28) Chives
29) El Rey de Oro
30) Mpls. Café Minneapolis, MN.
31) Soul City Supper Club
32) Tonic of Uptown Minneapolis, MN.
33) Porter's Minneapolis, MN.
34) Molly Quinn's Minneapolis, MN. (local media covers this closing)
34) Molly Quinn's Minneapolis, MN. (local media covers this closing)
Breakaway Bar -(Luke is still hanging on as best he can, stop by and say hello)
35) Minnehaha Grill
36) Margarita Bella Minneapolis, MN.
37) Olive Garden
38) Knuckleheads Comedy Club Mall of America Bloomington, MN.
39) Asian Infusion, St. Paul, MN.
40) Big E.’s Soul Food, Minneapolis, MN.
41) Chet’s Taverna, St. Paul, MN.
42) Ciatti’s, Maplewood, MN.
43) Jazzmine’s, Minneapolis, MN.
44) Katsu Sushi, St. Paul, MN.
45) Le Bambou, Minneapolis 46) Mangia, Minneapolis, MN.
47) Margaux Limitée, St. Paul, MN.
48) Marketplace Café, Minneapolis, MN.
49) Red, Minneapolis, MN.
50) Rockin’ Lobster, St. Paul, MN.
51) Bobino's Starlight Lounge, Mpls, MN.
52) Wazobia Nigerian Cafe, Minneapolis
53) Waldo's
54) Player's Mall of America Bloomington, MN
55) Shamrock's W. 7th St. Paul (rumor is this one is a personal vendetta by some pro-smoking ban city council members in St. Paul against an owner who testified against the ban. In other words the city refused to extend a license on a technicality, but that's just the rumor from some St. Paul hospitality business owners, feel free to correct me on this one Mr. Thune)
56) Mojito's St. Louis Park, MN.
57) Stasius Bar Minneapolis, MN (reopened under new mgmt?) Bob Moffitt Communications Dir. for American Lung MN once referred to Stasiu's as his "old stomping grounds". I doubt he shed a tear though in realizing his role in contributing to their demise, because as the Lunger tells us no bars or restaurants have gone out of business due to the smoking bans. In fact, to hear the media & Bob tell it, none of these 76 establishments went out of business at all, they've simply closed their doors for an extended period of time to count all the profits that the smoking bans have bestowed upon them.
58) Little Jack's Minneapolis story here.
59) The Buttery St. Paul
60) Cracker Barrel Brooklyn Park, MN.
61) Perkins St. Louis Park, MN.
62) Howie G's Plymouth, MN.
63) Jake's Moundsview, MN.
64) Dixie’s Calhoun Minneapolis, MN.
65) Hamlin’s Cafe
66) Loring Grill
67) Pineda Tacos Minneapolis, MN.
68) Sidney's Minneapolis, MN.
69) Sidney's Minnetonka, MN.
70) Sidney's St. Paul, MN.
71) Sidney's Edina, MN.
72) Zeno's Minneapolis, MN.
73) Zeno's Eden Prairie, MN.
74) Louis XIII Edina, MN.
75) Bobino's Minneapolis (not same as Starlight Lounge)
35) Minnehaha Grill
36) Margarita Bella Minneapolis, MN.
37) Olive Garden
38) Knuckleheads Comedy Club Mall of America Bloomington, MN.
39) Asian Infusion, St. Paul, MN.
40) Big E.’s Soul Food, Minneapolis, MN.
41) Chet’s Taverna, St. Paul, MN.
42) Ciatti’s, Maplewood, MN.
43) Jazzmine’s, Minneapolis, MN.
44) Katsu Sushi, St. Paul, MN.
45) Le Bambou, Minneapolis 46) Mangia, Minneapolis, MN.
47) Margaux Limitée, St. Paul, MN.
48) Marketplace Café, Minneapolis, MN.
49) Red, Minneapolis, MN.
50) Rockin’ Lobster, St. Paul, MN.
51) Bobino's Starlight Lounge, Mpls, MN.
52) Wazobia Nigerian Cafe, Minneapolis
53) Waldo's
54) Player's Mall of America Bloomington, MN
55) Shamrock's W. 7th St. Paul (rumor is this one is a personal vendetta by some pro-smoking ban city council members in St. Paul against an owner who testified against the ban. In other words the city refused to extend a license on a technicality, but that's just the rumor from some St. Paul hospitality business owners, feel free to correct me on this one Mr. Thune)
56) Mojito's St. Louis Park, MN.
57) Stasius Bar Minneapolis, MN (reopened under new mgmt?) Bob Moffitt Communications Dir. for American Lung MN once referred to Stasiu's as his "old stomping grounds". I doubt he shed a tear though in realizing his role in contributing to their demise, because as the Lunger tells us no bars or restaurants have gone out of business due to the smoking bans. In fact, to hear the media & Bob tell it, none of these 76 establishments went out of business at all, they've simply closed their doors for an extended period of time to count all the profits that the smoking bans have bestowed upon them.
58) Little Jack's Minneapolis story here.
59) The Buttery St. Paul
60) Cracker Barrel Brooklyn Park, MN.
61) Perkins St. Louis Park, MN.
62) Howie G's Plymouth, MN.
63) Jake's Moundsview, MN.
64) Dixie’s Calhoun Minneapolis, MN.
65) Hamlin’s Cafe
66) Loring Grill
67) Pineda Tacos Minneapolis, MN.
68) Sidney's Minneapolis, MN.
69) Sidney's Minnetonka, MN.
70) Sidney's St. Paul, MN.
71) Sidney's Edina, MN.
72) Zeno's Minneapolis, MN.
73) Zeno's Eden Prairie, MN.
74) Louis XIII Edina, MN.
75) Bobino's Minneapolis (not same as Starlight Lounge)
76) Diner Minneapolis, MN.
77) Big City Tavern
78) Tiburon Minneapolis, MN.
79) Viking Bar Minneapolis, MN. (And now for the real shocker the uber liberal Star Tribune writes a page 2 story which attributes it demise to the smoking ban.......the Star Tribune until now seemed as though they were in the pocket of pharmaceutical nicotine interests.)
80) Sharx Nightclub Minneapolis, MN.
81) Peter's Grill Minneapolis, MN. Incidentally, Peter's Grill was one of the establishments which was about to buy Smokeeter air cleaners from me prior to talk of the smoking bans. Thank god the city council spared them from having to make that investment. 82) Mike's Bar St. Paul, MN (read more here)
83) Billy's Lighthouse Long Lake, MN.
84) Over the Rainbow St. Paul, MN. (read more here)
85) Boom Minneapolis, MN. (read more here)
86) Sophia's Minneapolis, MN.
87) Pizza Pie & I Minneapolis
88) Grandma's Saloon & Eatery Plymouth, MN.
89) The Little Wagon Minneapolis -update: reopening 3/07 under new management
90) Ricky's Loft Minneapolis
91) Bennigan's Maplewood, MN.
92) Homestead Restaurant Golden Valley, MN.
93) Pickle's Lounge St. Paul, MN.
94) LeVain Minneapolis this closing is also mentioned on their website.
95) The Carousel St. Paul, MN.
96) Irv's Minneapolis, MN.
97) Sully's Minneapolis "...closing Jan. 31, 2007 due to drop in business because of smoking ban..." -comment provided by Sully's management to Clearing the Air in a telephone interview.
98) Main Event Bar Minneapolis
99) Odaa Minneapolis
100) Robert Lee Restaurant Minneapolis
101) Baja Riverside Bar & Grill Minneapolis. This article points out how a record number of closed bars & restaurants leads to a dangerous trend of unsafe neighborhoods.
102) Sports Break Bar St. Paul
103) The Quest Minneapolis (for those unfamiliar, this is one of the largest nightclubs in the Twin Cities, once owned by Prince) story here in City Pages
104) Five Restaurant & Street Lounge Minneapolis. The Star Tribune has the story here, but will typically remove the link within days.....the Star & Sickle is embarrassed that the smoking ban agenda, which they endorsed, is destroying the hospitality industry here in record numbers.
105) Auriga Minneapolis
106) Urban Wildlife Bar and Grill, Minneapolis
107) Popeye's Minneapolis
108) All Stars Bar Spring Park, MN
109) Westrum's Tavern Minneapolis, MN. Southwest Journal tells the story, though they don't tell you what we all know.....Judy Westrum's 40 year old business really began to decline once the smoking ban was enacted. The medias' intentional suppression of the financial damages inflicted upon the people in the hospitality industry by government smoking bans is an absolute crime.
110) Decoy's/AlleyCat, NE Minneapolis
111) Italian Pie Shoppe St. Paul, MN. (original site closed, now in new location)
112) The Lake Inn, Minneapolis
113) Trikx St. Paul, MN closing announcement
114) Timberlodge Steakhouse Roseville
115) Andy's Garage St. Paul, MN.
116) Fhima's St. Paul, MN.
117) French Press St. Paul, MN.
118) Andy's Tap Bloomington, MN. story in the Star Tribune . But true to their pro-smoking ban agenda, the Star Tribune would never report that Andy's or any of the other 118 bars & restaurants were forced to close due to revenue losses from the smoking bans. Andy's survived 42 years in business....suddenly and mysteriously the Strib would have you believe the customer base for Andy's Tap just disappeared. With 42 years business experience for Andy's, 70 years for Porter's Bar, 40 years for Westrum's Tavern.......it must have been an unprecedented, colossal, and historic event which forced these businesses to close; and it was...........the smoking bans.
119) Backyard Bar & Grill Bloomington, MN
120) Bridgeman's, Richfield
121) Riverside Restaurant, Minneapolis
122) The Poodle Club, Minneapolis
123) TGI Fridays Brooklyn Park, MN.
124) Coyote Grille Brooklyn Center, MN. Mgmt. here holds no punches as they boldly report the smoking ban led to their demise more here
125) A Rebours St. Paul, MN. more here from the Pioneer Press (they (Pio Press) are known for removing their links within days)
126) Margaux St. Paul, MN. closing announcement here
127 ) Chico Chica St Paul, MN
128 ) Ruam Mit Thai St. Paul, MN
129 ) Cafe of the Americas, Minneapolis, MN
130) Willie's Wine Bar Minneapolis, MN.
131) Old Chicago Minneapolis, MN. (Comment from a reader) Just heard on the news that Old Chicago in DT Minnepolis will close due to the "decrease of traffic in the area." No mention of the smoking ban, but I have heard from bartenders at Old Chicago that the "decrease in traffic" started with the smoking ban.
132) Shelly's Restaurant St. Louis Park, MN has closed as announced in the Star Tribune.
133) Roberts on 10 Maplewood, MN.
134) DD's Cafe Crystal, MN.
135) TimberLodge Steakhouse St. Louis Park, MN.
136) DooLittle's Plymouth, MN.
137) DooLittle's Coon Rapids, MN.
138) TGI Friday's Plymouth, MN.
139) Copper Bleu Lakeville, MN.
140) Pizza Nea Minneapolis, MN.
141) Rush (formerly Rodeo) Cottage Grove, MN.
142) T.F. Boonies Detroit Lakes, MN.
143) Dale's Beltrami County, MN.
144) Git R Done Beltrami County, MN.
145) Mason's Beltrami County, MN.
146) Northwoods Steakhouse Beltrami County, MN.
147) Pour Willie's 71 Bar Beltrami County, MN.
148) Union Station Beltrami County, MN.
149) Ember's Mankato, MN. Co-owner Nicole couldn’t fight back tears while talking about how much she’s going to miss her co-workers and customers.
150) Larry’s Bar in Fergus Falls, MN. story here
151) The Broken Axe Moorhead, MN. Management stated by phone that the smoking ban was the greatest single contributing factor for the loss of revenue and subsequent closing. 12/31/07 was their last night of business.
77) Big City Tavern
78) Tiburon Minneapolis, MN.
79) Viking Bar Minneapolis, MN. (And now for the real shocker the uber liberal Star Tribune writes a page 2 story which attributes it demise to the smoking ban.......the Star Tribune until now seemed as though they were in the pocket of pharmaceutical nicotine interests.)
80) Sharx Nightclub Minneapolis, MN.
81) Peter's Grill Minneapolis, MN. Incidentally, Peter's Grill was one of the establishments which was about to buy Smokeeter air cleaners from me prior to talk of the smoking bans. Thank god the city council spared them from having to make that investment. 82) Mike's Bar St. Paul, MN (read more here)
83) Billy's Lighthouse Long Lake, MN.
84) Over the Rainbow St. Paul, MN. (read more here)
85) Boom Minneapolis, MN. (read more here)
86) Sophia's Minneapolis, MN.
87) Pizza Pie & I Minneapolis
88) Grandma's Saloon & Eatery Plymouth, MN.
89) The Little Wagon Minneapolis -update: reopening 3/07 under new management
90) Ricky's Loft Minneapolis
91) Bennigan's Maplewood, MN.
92) Homestead Restaurant Golden Valley, MN.
93) Pickle's Lounge St. Paul, MN.
94) LeVain Minneapolis this closing is also mentioned on their website.
95) The Carousel St. Paul, MN.
96) Irv's Minneapolis, MN.
97) Sully's Minneapolis "...closing Jan. 31, 2007 due to drop in business because of smoking ban..." -comment provided by Sully's management to Clearing the Air in a telephone interview.
98) Main Event Bar Minneapolis
99) Odaa Minneapolis
100) Robert Lee Restaurant Minneapolis
101) Baja Riverside Bar & Grill Minneapolis. This article points out how a record number of closed bars & restaurants leads to a dangerous trend of unsafe neighborhoods.
102) Sports Break Bar St. Paul
103) The Quest Minneapolis (for those unfamiliar, this is one of the largest nightclubs in the Twin Cities, once owned by Prince) story here in City Pages
104) Five Restaurant & Street Lounge Minneapolis. The Star Tribune has the story here, but will typically remove the link within days.....the Star & Sickle is embarrassed that the smoking ban agenda, which they endorsed, is destroying the hospitality industry here in record numbers.
105) Auriga Minneapolis
106) Urban Wildlife Bar and Grill, Minneapolis
107) Popeye's Minneapolis
108) All Stars Bar Spring Park, MN
109) Westrum's Tavern Minneapolis, MN. Southwest Journal tells the story, though they don't tell you what we all know.....Judy Westrum's 40 year old business really began to decline once the smoking ban was enacted. The medias' intentional suppression of the financial damages inflicted upon the people in the hospitality industry by government smoking bans is an absolute crime.
110) Decoy's/AlleyCat, NE Minneapolis
111) Italian Pie Shoppe St. Paul, MN. (original site closed, now in new location)
112) The Lake Inn, Minneapolis
113) Trikx St. Paul, MN closing announcement
114) Timberlodge Steakhouse Roseville
115) Andy's Garage St. Paul, MN.
116) Fhima's St. Paul, MN.
117) French Press St. Paul, MN.
118) Andy's Tap Bloomington, MN. story in the Star Tribune . But true to their pro-smoking ban agenda, the Star Tribune would never report that Andy's or any of the other 118 bars & restaurants were forced to close due to revenue losses from the smoking bans. Andy's survived 42 years in business....suddenly and mysteriously the Strib would have you believe the customer base for Andy's Tap just disappeared. With 42 years business experience for Andy's, 70 years for Porter's Bar, 40 years for Westrum's Tavern.......it must have been an unprecedented, colossal, and historic event which forced these businesses to close; and it was...........the smoking bans.
119) Backyard Bar & Grill Bloomington, MN
120) Bridgeman's, Richfield
121) Riverside Restaurant, Minneapolis
122) The Poodle Club, Minneapolis
123) TGI Fridays Brooklyn Park, MN.
124) Coyote Grille Brooklyn Center, MN. Mgmt. here holds no punches as they boldly report the smoking ban led to their demise more here
125) A Rebours St. Paul, MN. more here from the Pioneer Press (they (Pio Press) are known for removing their links within days)
126) Margaux St. Paul, MN. closing announcement here
127 ) Chico Chica St Paul, MN
128 ) Ruam Mit Thai St. Paul, MN
129 ) Cafe of the Americas, Minneapolis, MN
130) Willie's Wine Bar Minneapolis, MN.
131) Old Chicago Minneapolis, MN. (Comment from a reader) Just heard on the news that Old Chicago in DT Minnepolis will close due to the "decrease of traffic in the area." No mention of the smoking ban, but I have heard from bartenders at Old Chicago that the "decrease in traffic" started with the smoking ban.
132) Shelly's Restaurant St. Louis Park, MN has closed as announced in the Star Tribune.
133) Roberts on 10 Maplewood, MN.
134) DD's Cafe Crystal, MN.
135) TimberLodge Steakhouse St. Louis Park, MN.
136) DooLittle's Plymouth, MN.
137) DooLittle's Coon Rapids, MN.
138) TGI Friday's Plymouth, MN.
139) Copper Bleu Lakeville, MN.
140) Pizza Nea Minneapolis, MN.
141) Rush (formerly Rodeo) Cottage Grove, MN.
142) T.F. Boonies Detroit Lakes, MN.
143) Dale's Beltrami County, MN.
144) Git R Done Beltrami County, MN.
145) Mason's Beltrami County, MN.
146) Northwoods Steakhouse Beltrami County, MN.
147) Pour Willie's 71 Bar Beltrami County, MN.
148) Union Station Beltrami County, MN.
149) Ember's Mankato, MN. Co-owner Nicole couldn’t fight back tears while talking about how much she’s going to miss her co-workers and customers.
150) Larry’s Bar in Fergus Falls, MN. story here
151) The Broken Axe Moorhead, MN. Management stated by phone that the smoking ban was the greatest single contributing factor for the loss of revenue and subsequent closing. 12/31/07 was their last night of business.
152) VFW Post 8854 St. Paul, MN. (this was the last remaining VFW in St. Paul)
153) Northern Lights Bar and Grill Montevideo, MN
153) Northern Lights Bar and Grill Montevideo, MN
154) Detoy's Family Restaunt Granite Falls, MN
155) Langesson's Benson, MN
156)- Buffet Holdings Inc. Eagan, MN. owns Country Buffet, Ryan's and Tahoe Joe's brands, 626 establishments in total, files for bankruptcy.
157) - Maurer's Parkside Lounge Rick Maurer said, "... the smoking ban dealt it a deadly blow, taking away more than a quarter of its clientele." (the quote and link is to a Pioneer Press article 2/7/08, and as part of mainstream media's concerted effort not to report any negative aspects of the smoking ban; is subject to be removed at any time)
158) Back to the 50's Ramsey, MN.
159) Don Pablo's Minnetonka, MN.
160) 4 Alarm Bar & Grill Rockford, MN.
161) New Delhi Bar & Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
162) Richard's on Main Norwood / Young America, MN.
163) Emma's Restaurant & Lounge Minneapolis, MN.
164) Cafe Limon Minneapolis, MN.
165) Chang Bang Minneapolis, MN.
166) 700 Express Minneapolis, MN.
167) Soba's Minneapolis, MN.
168) Cafe 44 Minneapolis, MN.
169) Pane Vino Dolce Minneapolis, MN.
170) Don Pablo's Eagan, MN.
171) Don Pablo's Woodbury, MN.
172) Baker's Square Plymouth, MN.
173) Oakies of Oakdale, MN. -owner Charles Senkler informed Clearing the Air "....the bottom dropped out of both food and beverage sales with the State Wide Ban....."
174) Isabel's Minneapolis, MN.
175) Baker's Square Minnetonka, MN.
176) Joe's Crab Shack Maple Grove, MN.
177) Baker's Square Burnsville, MN.
178) Baker's Square St. Paul, MN.
179) Baker's Square Minneapolis, MN.
180) Baker's Square Stillwater, MN.
181) Baker's Square St. Anthony, MN.
182) Bentley's Vadnais Heights, MN.
183) Bingo Plus Inver Grove Heights, MN.
184) Hillcrest Bingo St. Paul, MN.
185) Midway Bingo St. Paul, MN.
186) Cottage Grove Bingo (formerly Fantasy Cruise Bingo) Cottage Grove, MN. the closing of bingo halls due to smoking bans, documented here, is particularly damaging because bingo halls provided tens of millions back to the community in charitable funding for hockey leagues, little league baseball, etc.......not anymore; thanks to the Nicoderm special interests and the non-profits they funded. (By the way I personally designed and provided Cottage Grove Bingo a $35,000+ state of the art, air filtration system......theirs was the best of the best)
187) Romano's Macaroni Grill Burnsville, MN.
By the way, 187 closings are approximately 1/3 of the total liquor licenses in Minneapolis.....so you can see that it is an unusually high percentage of closings that have ocurred since smoking has been banned here.
188) Passage to India Minneapolis, MN.
189) Lotus Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
190) Temple Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
191) Romano's Macaroni Grill Rochester, MN.
192) Joe's Crab Shack Roseville, MN.
193) Finnegan's Pub Delano, MN.
194) Grandma's Saloon Minneapolis, MN. closing 5/22/08 -The president of Grandma's Corporation, Brian Daugherty, said legislation like the smoking ban has deteriorated the state of hospitality jobs in Minneapolis. The ironic thing here is that this quote and link comes from liberal U of M online publication the MNDaily, whose members from day one have argued that smoking bans are not to blame for hospitality closings.
195) Foundation Nightclub Minneapolis, MN.
196) Minnehaha Lanes St. Paul, MN. .....had complained in the past that the smoking ban, which took effect in St. Paul more than a year before it reached the rest of the state, had driven a primary source of income — bowling leagues — away.. more here.
197) Campiello's Minneapolis, MN. (13 year history comes to an end with its closing 6/20/08)
198) Alleygator's / Spectrum Lanes Maple Grove, MN.
199) Sweet Lorraine's Minneapolis, MN.
200) The OZ in Elko, MN.
201) The Norseman Cokato, MN.
202) Henry's Restaurant Willmar, MN.
203) West Indie's Soul St. Paul, MN.
204) Ravello's Long Lake, MN.
205) Ginnelli's Pizza Minneapolis, MN.
206) T.J. Finnegan's Mankato, MN.
207) Sugar Room Lounge Mankato, MN.
208) The Vault Belle Plaine, MN.
209) Timber Lodge Steakhouse Mankato, MN.
210) Timber Lodge Steakhouse Eden Prairie, MN.
211) Brix Bistro & Wine Bar St. Louis Park, MN.
212) Paradise Restaurant & Cafe Minneapolis, MN.
213) Totino's Italian Kitchen Minneapolis, MN.
214) Mysore Cafe Minneapolis, MN.
215) Chevy's Fresh Mex Minneapolis, MN.
216) Manhatten Loft Minneapolis, MN.
217) Canary Cafe Minneapolis, MN.
218) Little Nikki's Minneapolis, MN.
219) Timber Lodge Steakhouse West St. Paul, MN.
220) Lyn-Del Lanes Bloomington, MN
221) American Legion Bloomington, MN.
222) Starbucks 2221 E. Main Frontage Road. Albert Lea, MN.
223) Starbucks 599 Northtown Drive NE. Blaine, MN.
224) Starbucks 2331 108th Lane NE. Blaine, MN.
225) Starbucks 12555 Ulysses St. NE. Blaine, MN.
226) Starbucks 5512 Brooklyn Blvd. Brooklyn Center, MN.
227) Starbucks 615 66th Av. N. Brooklyn Center, MN.
228) Starbucks 6901 Brooklyn Blvd. Brooklyn Center, MN.
229) Starbucks 14637 County Road 11 Burnsville, MN
230) Starbucks 250 E. Traveler's Trail Burnsville, MN.
231) Starbucks 3450 124th Av. NW. Coon Rapids:, MN.
232) Starbucks 2740 Main St. Coon Rapids, MN.
233) Starbucks 13131 Riverdale Drive Coon Rapids, MN.
234) Starbucks 1140 Torgerson Drive Fairmont, MN
235) Starbucks 2280 Grant St. Faribault, MN.
236) Starbucks 1731 N. Frontage Road Hastings, MN.
237) Starbucks 3156 Century Av. N. Mahtomedi, MN.
238) Starbucks 1881 Madison Av. 239) 1680 Warren St. Mankato, MN.
240) Starbucks 1201 E. Main St. Marshall, MN.
241) Starbucks 5101 County Road 101 Minnetonka, MN.
242) Starbucks 5980 Neal Av. N Oak Park Heights, MN.
243) Starbucks 4000 Annapolis Lane Plymouth, MN.
244) Starbucks 144 Tyler Road N. Red Wing, MN.
245) Starbucks 2665 Commerce Drive NE. Rochester, MN.
246) Starbucks 1539 17th Av. E Shakopee, MN.
247) Starbucks 242 W. 7th St. St. Paul, MN.
248) Starbucks 9000 Hudson Rd. Woodbury, MN
223) Starbucks 599 Northtown Drive NE. Blaine, MN.
224) Starbucks 2331 108th Lane NE. Blaine, MN.
225) Starbucks 12555 Ulysses St. NE. Blaine, MN.
226) Starbucks 5512 Brooklyn Blvd. Brooklyn Center, MN.
227) Starbucks 615 66th Av. N. Brooklyn Center, MN.
228) Starbucks 6901 Brooklyn Blvd. Brooklyn Center, MN.
229) Starbucks 14637 County Road 11 Burnsville, MN
230) Starbucks 250 E. Traveler's Trail Burnsville, MN.
231) Starbucks 3450 124th Av. NW. Coon Rapids:, MN.
232) Starbucks 2740 Main St. Coon Rapids, MN.
233) Starbucks 13131 Riverdale Drive Coon Rapids, MN.
234) Starbucks 1140 Torgerson Drive Fairmont, MN
235) Starbucks 2280 Grant St. Faribault, MN.
236) Starbucks 1731 N. Frontage Road Hastings, MN.
237) Starbucks 3156 Century Av. N. Mahtomedi, MN.
238) Starbucks 1881 Madison Av. 239) 1680 Warren St. Mankato, MN.
240) Starbucks 1201 E. Main St. Marshall, MN.
241) Starbucks 5101 County Road 101 Minnetonka, MN.
242) Starbucks 5980 Neal Av. N Oak Park Heights, MN.
243) Starbucks 4000 Annapolis Lane Plymouth, MN.
244) Starbucks 144 Tyler Road N. Red Wing, MN.
245) Starbucks 2665 Commerce Drive NE. Rochester, MN.
246) Starbucks 1539 17th Av. E Shakopee, MN.
247) Starbucks 242 W. 7th St. St. Paul, MN.
248) Starbucks 9000 Hudson Rd. Woodbury, MN
249) Bennigan's St. Louis Park, MN.
250) Bennigan's Bloomington, MN. Nationwide Bennigan closing story here.
251) Steak & Ale Bloomington, MN.
252) Durkins Pub Anoka, MN.
253) Narrows Maple Grove, MN.
254) Denny's Golden Valley, MN
255) BJ's Lounge Minneapolis, MN.
256) Johnny A's Bar & Grill Minneapolis, MN. -owner John Alexander testified against the smoking bans on numerous ocassions, knowing from the beginning that the Nicoderm funded activists were lying when they claimed smoking bans were good for business......now he has firsthand proof that he was right.
257) Benchwarmer Bob's Sportsbar & Grill Burnsville, MN.
258) Bill-A-Bong Bar & Grill Bloomington, MN.
259) Dos Amigos Mankato, MN.
260) Giorgio's Minneapolis, MN.
261) Major's Sports Cafe Vadnais Heights, MN.
262) Major's Sports Cafe Roseville, MN.
263) Zander Cafe St. Paul, MN.
264) Shep's Bar Cologne, MN.
265) Canyon Grille Eden Prairie, MN.
266) VFW Mound, MN.
267) American Legion 25th Av. S. Minneapolis, MN.
268) Pi Nightclub (which took over above Legion) Minneapolis, MN.
269) Lodge Bar Minneapolis, MN.
270) Wild Oaks Lounge Cologne, MN.
271) Jake's Sportsbar Crystal, MN.
271) Jake's Sportsbar Crystal, MN.
272) Chevy's Fresh Mex Eden Prairie, MN closed is now Baja Sol Cantina
273) JP's American Bistro Minneapolis, MN.
274) Rossi's Steak House Minneapolis, MN.
275) Babalu Minneapolis, MN.
276) Otho Minneapolis, MN.
277) Cintia's of Mexico Minneapolis, MN.
278) Safari Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
279) Cafe Havana Minneapolis, MN. owner John Rimarcik phoned me back in 2005 proclaiming he was happy to have the city of Minneapolis ban smoking.....at the time I didn't think that would be a profitable ordinance for the city's only cigar bar, apparently I was right.
280) Restaurant Indio Minneapolis, MN.
281) Sawatdee Minneapolis (uptown)
282) Bavarian Haus Hutchinson, MN. (announcement in Hutchinson Leader)
283) Morelos Mex Grill Minneapolis, MN.
284) Cliquot Club Minneapolis, MN.
285) Monte's Steakhouse Faribault, MN.
286) Crab House Fridley, MN.
287) Harold's Chicken Shack Minneapolis, MN.
288) Matty B's Urban Bar & Restaurant St. Paul, MN.
289) Vera's Minneapolis, MN.
290) Matty B's Urban Bar & Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
291) Woody's Rockford, MN.
292) California Cafe Mall of America Bloomington, MN.
293) Espresso Royale Minneapolis, MN.
294) Sauced Minneapolis, MN.
295) La Bodega Minneapolis, MN.
296) Stone's Stillwater, MN.
297) Fugaise Minneapolis, MN. (closing 3/14/09)
298) City Billiards Minneapolis, MN.
299) Harvey's Minneapolis, MN.
300) The Times Minneapolis, MN.
301) Sam's Wine Shop Minneapolis, MN.
302) Chelly's Cafe Minneapolis, MN.
303) Manny's Tortas Minneapolis, MN.
304) Obrien's Decoy Minneapolis, MN.
305) Applebee's Lake Calhoun Minneapolis
306) Bayport Cookery Bayport, MN.
307) Burrito Loco Minneapolis, MN.
308) Checkered Apron Cafe Minneapolis, MN.
309) Mill City Pizza Minneapolis, MN.
310) Jitters Minneapolis, MN.
311) Tin Cup St. Paul, MN.
312) Three Fish Minneapolis, MN.
313) Bella Sera Wine Bar Ristorante Maple Grove, MN.
314) Cork's Grill & Wine Bar St. Cloud, MN.
315) McMillan’s Restaurant St. Cloud, MN.
316) Roster's Sports Bar & Grill St. Cloud, MN.
317) Bakers Square St. Cloud, MN.
318) Outback Steakhouse St. Cloud, MN.
319) Hooter's Restaurant St. Cloud, MN.
320) River City Restaurant & Pub Chaska, MN.
321) Chestnut's Restaurant & Lounge Chaska, MN.
322) Bayrischer Hof German Restaurant Montrose, MN.
323) Vineyard Restaurant Anoka, MN. closing 5/31/09
324) Wildwood Pizza Mahtomedi, MN. closing 5/12/09
325) Saba's Shakopee, MN.
326) The Little Wagon Minneapolis, MN. (see #89 above)
327) Pressbox Sportsbar & Grill Minneapolis, MN.
328) Mell's Beauty Bar Minneapolis, MN.
329) Boulevard's Bar & Grill Brooklyn Center, MN.
330) Jazzy Fox Bistro Restaurant Fergus Falls, MN.
331) Tacos Blass Minneapolis, MN.
332) Dinkytowner Minneapolis, MN.
333) Safari Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
334) D'Amico Cucina Butler Square Minneapolis, MN. closing 6/27/09
335) Mabuhay St. Paul, MN.
336) Club 3 Degrees Minneapolis, MN.
337) Trocaderos Minneapolis, MN.
273) JP's American Bistro Minneapolis, MN.
274) Rossi's Steak House Minneapolis, MN.
275) Babalu Minneapolis, MN.
276) Otho Minneapolis, MN.
277) Cintia's of Mexico Minneapolis, MN.
278) Safari Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
279) Cafe Havana Minneapolis, MN. owner John Rimarcik phoned me back in 2005 proclaiming he was happy to have the city of Minneapolis ban smoking.....at the time I didn't think that would be a profitable ordinance for the city's only cigar bar, apparently I was right.
280) Restaurant Indio Minneapolis, MN.
281) Sawatdee Minneapolis (uptown)
282) Bavarian Haus Hutchinson, MN. (announcement in Hutchinson Leader)
283) Morelos Mex Grill Minneapolis, MN.
284) Cliquot Club Minneapolis, MN.
285) Monte's Steakhouse Faribault, MN.
286) Crab House Fridley, MN.
287) Harold's Chicken Shack Minneapolis, MN.
288) Matty B's Urban Bar & Restaurant St. Paul, MN.
289) Vera's Minneapolis, MN.
290) Matty B's Urban Bar & Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
291) Woody's Rockford, MN.
292) California Cafe Mall of America Bloomington, MN.
293) Espresso Royale Minneapolis, MN.
294) Sauced Minneapolis, MN.
295) La Bodega Minneapolis, MN.
296) Stone's Stillwater, MN.
297) Fugaise Minneapolis, MN. (closing 3/14/09)
298) City Billiards Minneapolis, MN.
299) Harvey's Minneapolis, MN.
300) The Times Minneapolis, MN.
301) Sam's Wine Shop Minneapolis, MN.
302) Chelly's Cafe Minneapolis, MN.
303) Manny's Tortas Minneapolis, MN.
304) Obrien's Decoy Minneapolis, MN.
305) Applebee's Lake Calhoun Minneapolis
306) Bayport Cookery Bayport, MN.
307) Burrito Loco Minneapolis, MN.
308) Checkered Apron Cafe Minneapolis, MN.
309) Mill City Pizza Minneapolis, MN.
310) Jitters Minneapolis, MN.
311) Tin Cup St. Paul, MN.
312) Three Fish Minneapolis, MN.
313) Bella Sera Wine Bar Ristorante Maple Grove, MN.
314) Cork's Grill & Wine Bar St. Cloud, MN.
315) McMillan’s Restaurant St. Cloud, MN.
316) Roster's Sports Bar & Grill St. Cloud, MN.
317) Bakers Square St. Cloud, MN.
318) Outback Steakhouse St. Cloud, MN.
319) Hooter's Restaurant St. Cloud, MN.
320) River City Restaurant & Pub Chaska, MN.
321) Chestnut's Restaurant & Lounge Chaska, MN.
322) Bayrischer Hof German Restaurant Montrose, MN.
323) Vineyard Restaurant Anoka, MN. closing 5/31/09
324) Wildwood Pizza Mahtomedi, MN. closing 5/12/09
325) Saba's Shakopee, MN.
326) The Little Wagon Minneapolis, MN. (see #89 above)
327) Pressbox Sportsbar & Grill Minneapolis, MN.
328) Mell's Beauty Bar Minneapolis, MN.
329) Boulevard's Bar & Grill Brooklyn Center, MN.
330) Jazzy Fox Bistro Restaurant Fergus Falls, MN.
331) Tacos Blass Minneapolis, MN.
332) Dinkytowner Minneapolis, MN.
333) Safari Restaurant Minneapolis, MN.
334) D'Amico Cucina Butler Square Minneapolis, MN. closing 6/27/09
335) Mabuhay St. Paul, MN.
336) Club 3 Degrees Minneapolis, MN.
337) Trocaderos Minneapolis, MN.
(200+ establishments closed pre 2008, long before any economic downturn, so economy was not a factor, smoking bans were) List last updated 2/18/09.
*list of closures in Hennepin & Ramsey Counties in Minnesota since smoking ban implementation 3/31/2005, as reported by members of the public, and when possible verified with the respective city.......reports of bar / restaurant closures due to smoking bans apparently are not being reported by the Star & Tribune.....perhaps because of their editorial agenda in favor of smoking bans.
Apparently the pro-smoking ban activists lied to lawmakers and the employees who would later lose their jobs. when they stated that smoking bans were good for business.
The pharmaceutical nicotine industry which funds non-profit organizations to lobby in favor of smoking bans, continue to tell lawmakers that smoking bans are boom for business. However, the business owners previously mentioned, and laid-off employees tell a different story.
What motivates Nicoderm, Nicoderm CQ, Nicotrol, and Chantix drug makers Johnson & Johnson Company, Pfizer, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to continue funding smoking ban efforts? Nearly $1 billion in smoking cessation products sales annually for starters.
Johnson & Johnson’s private foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to smoking ban lobbyists; such as the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, American Non-Smoker’s Rights, etc. The motive appears to be a rent seeking agenda, J & J’s wholly owned subsidiary ALZA manufactures Nicoderm and Nicoderm CQ for GSK; additionally J & J’s purchase of Pfizer home healthcare products unit means J & J also profits from Nicotrol product sales. Nicoderm, Nicoderm CQ, and Nicotrol products are alternative tobacco products, which directly benefit from smoking bans. Here in Minnesota, Blue Cross Blue Shield, as well as ClearWay MN crowed about the three-fold increase in demand for alternative nicotine products after smoking ban legislation was implemented. Perhaps a boycott of all Johnson & Johnson products is the proper response to their lack of ethical business practice.
But that's the dilemma our local politicians find themselves in........on the one side is the rich and powerful special interest group demanding laws that financially benefit their marketing interests.....and on the other side is the individual whose rights they were elected to uphold and serve. I guess it all comes down to a simple question: are they a servant of the people, or a slave to big money interests?
What motivates Nicoderm, Nicoderm CQ, Nicotrol, and Chantix drug makers Johnson & Johnson Company, Pfizer, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to continue funding smoking ban efforts? Nearly $1 billion in smoking cessation products sales annually for starters.
Johnson & Johnson’s private foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to smoking ban lobbyists; such as the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, American Non-Smoker’s Rights, etc. The motive appears to be a rent seeking agenda, J & J’s wholly owned subsidiary ALZA manufactures Nicoderm and Nicoderm CQ for GSK; additionally J & J’s purchase of Pfizer home healthcare products unit means J & J also profits from Nicotrol product sales. Nicoderm, Nicoderm CQ, and Nicotrol products are alternative tobacco products, which directly benefit from smoking bans. Here in Minnesota, Blue Cross Blue Shield, as well as ClearWay MN crowed about the three-fold increase in demand for alternative nicotine products after smoking ban legislation was implemented. Perhaps a boycott of all Johnson & Johnson products is the proper response to their lack of ethical business practice.
But that's the dilemma our local politicians find themselves in........on the one side is the rich and powerful special interest group demanding laws that financially benefit their marketing interests.....and on the other side is the individual whose rights they were elected to uphold and serve. I guess it all comes down to a simple question: are they a servant of the people, or a slave to big money interests?
Oh.....and then there are these pesky little air quality test results that prove secondhand smoke concentrations are 2.6 – 25,000 times safer than OSHA workplace air quality standards.
http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2006/02/air-quality-testing-and-secondhand.html
http://cleanairquality.blogspot.com/2006/02/air-quality-testing-and-secondhand.html
It's clearly time to reverse these anti-business smoking ban laws, in light of the fact that politicians are influenced by distorted and omitted data
Update (8/29/08): In the last eight months there has been a concerted effort by local politicians and the media to dismiss hospitality closings due to our overall economic slump. However, over 200 of the closings above ocurred between 3/31/05 (date of local smoking ban inception) - 12/31/07 , which not only preceeded our economic slump; but was the cause of our economic slump.
Liberal politicians and Nicoderm funded smoking ban activists were the catalyst in destroyng business and jobs.......and subsequently our local & global economies.
Unemployment data shows that in 2004 the year prior to a smoking ban, Minnesota's unemployment rate was 4.1%. Then liberal politicians enacted smoking bans and the unemployment rate has steadily increased.
Elsewhere smoking bans eliminated 100,000+ jobs:
Elsewhere smoking bans eliminated 100,000+ jobs:
Smoking bans increased unemployment at a time when our economy was booming......but eliminating one hundred thousand+ hospitality jobs.....eventually has a negative trickle down effect on other industries. IE 100,000 unemployed hospitality workers stopped buying houses, or worse had their homes foreclosed upon, stopped buying cars, stopped buying computers, TVs etc., then the home-builders, automakers, electronic manufacturers, realtors, etc. started losing their jobs because of the effect from the 100,000+ unemployed bar and restaurant workers.......and the snowball races downhill.
3,382 UK pubs closed after their nationwide smoking ban
1,000 -2,000 US bars & restaurants closed after various local smoking bans were enacted
Nearly 300 Mpls / St. Paul bars & restaurants closed after smoking bans were enacted
Casino revenue losses in Colorado after smoking bans
Washington state gambling revenues fall sharply
Trump and Atlantic City casinos lose significant revenue after smoking ban
posted by marcus aurelius @ 9:02 PM
"Though we may not be able to protect your business property rights, we certainly support your Second Amendment Rights" 
"Stop Global Warming with Global Warming Be Gone"
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