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)


  • Add A Comment

  • HLC wrote...
    Cash you'd better get used to it.
    December 10, 2012 10:33 am
    This is and always has been the doper look. Theres a good reason it's called dope. It could have been called a lot of things but the right term was picked.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    there needs to be a few...
    December 10, 2012 11:43 am
    coffee shops/bakeries that jump on this idea as well.

    it could be huge business.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ironray wrote...
    A Comment On Comments
    December 10, 2012 12:50 pm
    Just a general observation...I notice that ALL websites, not just this one, won't respond to a well thought out, rational, cogient comment that directly contradicts their general operational philosophy. In other words, they know you're right but they don't want to publicize it! My guess is that they believe it will cost them revenue or make people question their validity.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }