Sign of things to come?

This is from Flash who runs a blog that I love to go to. He and I don't agree most of the time this one however I think we do. Flash has a blog called centrisity you can view it at http://centrisity.blogspot.com/

Here is his post:

Smoking Victim
Grandma's Saloon and Eatery, on the West Bank's Seven Corners is closing its doors. This popular hangout has endured most everything the economy has thrown at it, but the smoking ban on top of the other factors was too much.

Brian Daugherty, Grandma's general manager, said he opted out of the lease after being "legislated out of business." He blamed a host of laws -- a 2005 bill that doesn't allow tips to be counted as part of the minimum wage, the smoking ban, the 21-year-old drinking age and lower limits on blood-alcohol levels -- for a drop in business and rising expenses.

I haven't had a cigarette in over 6 months, but that hasn't changed my view of the rights of a private business to allow the use of legal products in their establishments.

Flash

My thought is this a sign of things to come for the Grandmas chain. Will we see any effects to our Duluth restaurants? Grandmas has been a staple in Duluth for many years and I would hate to see any of there establishments go out of business because of bills passed by our State legislators

Well many other items factor into the closing the smoking ban is the biggest hit to the business many say. You may have noticed in Duluth many places are not as busy as they were before the smoking ban. I know I have noticed it. Regardless of any report done I ask you talk to owners at there own business.

I had a conversation with an owner of a chines restaurant yesterday she was pissed about the new sales tax increase to Duluth restaurants because of the DECC expansion. The first words out of her mouth were on top of the smoking ban how do they expect us to make a living?

The owner expects to take another small hit because of the sales tax increase. She said down 40% sense the smoking ban took effect. Any small hit may make them close there doors.

If a big chain can't make it how can small mom and pop restaurants make it?