Smoking Ban Busts Another Business

Otto's Bar & Grill is closing

Posted on Wed Dec 26, 2007

     Otto's Bar & Grill is the latest business to shut down, blaming Columbia's smoking ban for slowing sales.

     The restaurant and bar will be shutting down at the end of the year.

     Owner Joel Thiel says his sales have dropped 30% in the past year.

     Though he acknowledges the economy has been slow, he says the fact that his customers can no longer smoke inside has accounted for the biggest drop in business.

     Thiel has led the charge against the ban from the beginning, putting together a petition to try and get the issue before voters.

     Though the petition and his business have failed, Thiel says he won't give up the fight for business rights.

     "These are legal products, liquor, beer and cigarettes, and I should be able to consume them in my private business. Unfortunately the mayor and some on the city council don't see it that way," said Thiel.

     Otto's has been open for almost six years.