Pot.jpg
Businesses in Washington state are already figuring out ways to profit from the state's new laws making recreational marijuana legal. (AP Photo/File)

Olympia bar owner hopes to boost business by welcoming pot smokers

BY MyNorthwest.com  on December 10, 2012 @ 6:07 am (Updated: 10:58 am - 12/10/12 )

Business has been slow for Frank Schnarr in Olympia. He owns Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill and with the legalization of marijuana, he's ready to try something new that will begin to bring in the cash.

Businesses in Washington state are already figuring out ways to profit from the state's new laws making recreational marijuana legal.

"The way the economy is right now I can lose [my bar] at any moment, because I have no customers," Schnaar told CBS Radio. "To bring in another type of a person to come in my establishment is a plus for me."

Schnarr's bar is already known for allowing patrons to smoke cigarettes for an annual fee.

He battled state regulators and won -- allowing smoking customers access to a closed-in area more than 25 feet from the entrances to his downstairs bar.

Schnaar is welcoming marijuana smoking in what he calls the "Friends of Frankie" room, a space in which customers pay an annual $10 fee to use.

Does he think it will be a popular spot? He told CBS it was the other night.

Olympia City Manager Steve Hall says the city is not sure what, if any, action will be taken against Frankie's, saying the law is unclear.

The Associated Press and KIRO Radio's Bob Larson contributed to this report.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (13)


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  • Cameron wrote...
    The State smoking ban is a joke.
    December 10, 2012 5:33 am
    It's not enforced if you are smoking the popular drug of the day. Private clubs should be allowed to open smoking venue, Cigars, cigarettes, Pipes, MJ. If the State is serious about making a success of Marijuana Sales, they need to have viable indoor socialization venues to capture the MJ tourist's, similar to the coffeehouse scene. The puritanical passive aggressive nature of WAshington State Law when it comes to personal freedoms is hypocritcal and non-productive.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    a fee?
    December 10, 2012 5:33 am
    if they are stoned...why would they want to drink too? They can stay home and smoke pot and not pay a fee.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    drunk and stoned...
    December 10, 2012 5:39 am
    Yeah, DUI won't be a problem, right. btw, props to Frankie for beating The Man, and for coming up with a way to make a buck. I almost hope it works.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CannabisTourism wrote...
    We're with you Frankie!
    December 10, 2012 7:21 am
    You're opening the door to a new, long needed, business streak in Washington. Kepp up the good works. http://growa.us
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    put up a small sign in the room that reads
    December 10, 2012 7:26 am
    GAY's WELCOME

    No one in Wa State Law enforcement would dare touch this one

    Home Free-cash in your pocket

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    I voted NO for the state to decriminalize Weed,
    December 10, 2012 7:40 am
    I still think that it was one of the bigger mistakes that this state government has made to date. However, if smoking Weed is to be permitted, apparently, then Cigarettes Pipes and Cigars should be allowed as well!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SnakeBite wrote...
    Oly Pot Venue
    December 10, 2012 8:23 am
    Once the State figures out how to make a buck off this Frankie fellow they will drop any and all resistance.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cash wrote...
    Why is it
    December 10, 2012 8:33 am
    That the only people who show up smoking a joint or taking a bong hit are disgusting looking losers? Are there not elegant looking rich folks willing to step up for the movement and get photographed taking a hit? This photo is disgusting as is all the other ones that have been posted since this has taken over the news. What a waste.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cdbtx wrote...
    Ok
    December 10, 2012 9:24 am
    So Frankie is 100% liable for someone that leaves his bar - drunk out of his gourd and hops into his car and causes an accident... but his savior in most cases is that the guy didn't appear to be drunk.

    With pot smoking... one toke and you're over the legal limit to drive... and Frankie becomes personally responsible for every person that pays the $10 to enter the room, leaves, and causes an accident.. and he's created a paper trail too..

    Put down the joint Frankie... before you open your mouth..

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleJack wrote...
    If I have to look
    December 10, 2012 9:53 am
    at one more picture of some droopy-eyed loser blowing smoke, I'm going to puke.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }