Fw: Old Bank Bar

Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2008 7:14 PM
Subject: Old Bank Bar
Dear Sheila,
My name is Brian Walker and I am the owner of The Old BankBar and Grill in Lake City Minnesota, a small community of 5,000. We are a third generation bar and have been in business for 30 years. Since the smoking ban went into effect my business has suffered greatly. Since October 1st 2007, I have put $10.000.00 of my retirement savings into my business just to stay open, our sales have been down 30% to 40% and my wife Karen and I have not taken a pay check since the smoking ban went tnto effect. We are a boarder town with Wisconson just accross the river ( where they can Drink, Smoke and Gamble). We also have to compete with Treasure Island Casino only 20 miles away (where they also can Drink, Smoke, and Gamble). We were delighted to here that some Minnesota bars were taking part in the theatrical performance night and after talking to Mark Benjamin and reading your story had our own performance.