Local bars strategize to stay afloat
Stacey Howe
Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: News
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Some bars around Macomb have been lowering drink prices to attract more people. Each bar has a certain night of the week featuring big specials to draw in crowds and help students save more money.
"We have noticed quite a bit of change," said Abe Olson, manager of The Change of Pace.
He said that lately there has been a decline in business, with patrons coming in later and spending less.
"Now we only get about one-and-a-half to two hours a night of business," Olson said. He blames the change in business on the economy and the fact that students are saving for spring break.
Bars have to compete with each other retain business, and to do that, they lower drink prices. By lowering the cost, they also have a risk of losing money.
"I like the Forum the best, because of the large dance floor, the multiple bars have the same cover, and the fact that cover is usually free, because I'm on the text club," senior business music major Erik Carlson said. "Usually the Ritz has the cheapest specials, but the Forum's dollar drafts on killer deal as well."
As the economy worsens, most college students have less money. Going to the bars on the weekends can be an expensive thing to do, so some resort to mixing their own drinks.
"I prefer to buy my own liquor because it is cheaper than going to the bar," said Michelle Massarello, junior elementary education major. "I enjoy the bar scene, but paying cover and then dishing out money for every drink can get pricey."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Patron in Madison, WI
posted 2/18/09 @ 2:07 PM CST
What about the police being in the bars to scare out 21 year olds that have 20 year old friends there with them? Ultimately forcing them to go out into the community, creating an unsafe and uncontrolled environment at a house party, where the chance of fighting or being taken advantage of is increased? Doesn't that factor into anything?
The one good thing to still see is as all the other bars come and go in town, and do corny things like a "text club" to try to get business, the Pace is still thriving!
Some things never change I guess, no wonder it's the longest running establishment on campus. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 2/18/09 @ 3:46 PM CST
Or how about the fact that you can't even be IN the bar when under 21 now. Even 20 year olds would have to pay cover...
AJD
posted 2/18/09 @ 11:31 PM CST
First of all, no matter how well the bars are doing, there are going to be house parties that cause trouble no matter what. I know of students that go to the house parties to get drunk or at least a buzz going before they go to the bars so that they don't spend as much. (Continued…)
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