Don't get me wrong, I hate the smoking ban. I'm politically very active against the ban, and feel that it should be repealed on constitutional grounds as well as the grounds of fraudulent language used on the ballot, and the fraudulent research spouted for decades as a reason for the bans. I hate the new stripper law in concept, although it didn't affect me when It was passed, I take advantage of its passage now.

Smoking bans certainly DO harm small businesses if you let it happen. DON'T let it happen!! STOP WHINING! Ohio changed the rules on you. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!

After 3 months of trying to play by the rules and loosing my ass, I made a decision to turn the new rules, the new "level playing field" if you will, to my advantage.

I bought a keycard system to restrict access, I bought a surveillance camera setup so that we can see who is coming in from anywhere around the building. I now have a doorman in the foyer the entire time we are open. NO one gets in without a card, or approval, or without warning if it's someone that could cause us problems. I built a huge mountain on the "level playing field"

We now have ashtrays on the tables, there is no non-smoking section. We actively, by word of mouth, advertise that we are the only "smoking allowed" bar in (I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you).

We have never had a smoking complaint filed against us, because we don't allow anti smokers in. The wanna-be Nazis are free to circle-jerk themselves all they want at AppleBee's and TGI Fridays. We have become quite the elite place for, what was a year ago, a dingy little no name hole-in-the-wall. I issued the original keycards to about 75 regulars. To get a card after that, you have to be recommended by two of the regulars and approved by me. There are now over 500 cards out. Gross sales are up over 900% from this time last year (factor in a 20% drink price increase). I'm going to retire 10 years earlier than I thought.

I also began organizing private, invitation only "rotator parties" locally. I arrange a large private venue. I make arrangements for music and/or dancers and arrange for refreshments to be available. I send a doorman or two to collect the entry donation. I issue invitations for the guests. I make sure that guests know about appropriate donations for refreshments. HUGE profit for an hour of my time. Again, all done by word of mouth.

I'm not saying that this should be YOUR solution, or that violating/sidestepping ORC 3794, the DoH, and the stripper law is the thing to do. What I am saying is that regardless of what we want, the rules have changed and the outlook for getting them changed back includes at least several years of work.

If you cannot adapt to the new rules or turn them to your advantage your business WILL be hurt. Learn to adapt. Change is the very essence of life!

Grey Market