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Gasthaus, 8th Note affected by smoking ban
Experienced businesses lose, but hope for new customers
By Stephanie Brien
After the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Union smoking ban went into effect this past April, the formerly smoker-friendly locations on campus — the Gasthaus and the 8th Note — have been losing business.
According to Scott Hoffland, director of restaurant services, the Gasthaus, the campus bar and grill located in the Union basement, has lost more than $60,000 in revenue for fall 2006 as of Nov. 22 compared to fall 2005 in the same time period before the ban went into effect.
Hoffland said they haven’t been able to identify any other reason besides the smoking ban for lost revenue because sales in other previously smoke-free campus food venues have remained constant or grown.
But the decline in revenue comes as little surprise, said Hoffland, who knew the Union Policy Board’s decision would lead to a decline in business.
Senior Chris Stalvey, who was finishing up his lunch at the Gasthaus between classes, said he has noticed the Gasthaus is much quieter now than in previous years.
“There is always somewhere to sit,” said Stalvey, remembering times when the entire restaurant was full.
Senior Jacob Grennier is one of the students who doesn’t see the purpose in visiting the Gasthaus since he can’t smoke. Found smoking outside the Union, Grennier said, “I do smoke and used to come down and smoke all the time.”
Not all smokers have stopped visiting the Gasthaus. UWM custodian Nelson Hernandez said he just goes outside when he wants to smoke but still likes to stop down at the Gasthaus to watch TV on his lunch break.
And some students said they like the new smoke-free environment more. Senior Tom Pfeiffer said even though the grill used to be separated into smoking and nonsmoking sections he likes how clean it feels now.
Regardless of varied student views, the numbers show there is a loss in business and Hoffland said they are working to promote Gasthaus entertainment like the Rob Jeter basketball show and ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
8th Note attendance drops
One level up on the Union’s ground floor, the 8th Note, a small nonprofit student-run coffee shop that previously allowed smoking, is also experiencing a drop in attendance after the smoking ban.
The coffee shop that several patrons describe as the “Cheers of UWM” is not nearly as busy as last year, said Michal Westfall, a UWM student and an 8th Note regular.
According to Staci Thomas, the financial officer for the 8th Note, the tax figures show a loss in revenue of about 50 percent or around $1,000 per month since the time around the smoking ban. However she was unable to provide precise numbers for the previous year.
The event coordinator for the 8th Note said before the ban, students would have to reserve seats in order to find a place to sit down and now there is nearly always an opening.
But there is still optimism that the now smoke-free facilities could regain business.
“Madison went smoke-free in their bars and the one thing they did see was sales rebound,” said Hoffland. “It takes people a while to rebound.”
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