We all know the popular and beloved dive bar Lou’s that sits at the corner of Main and Bourbon Street. What we don’t know is that even one of Hathian’s staples and most successful businesses is hitting an all time lows as city small business taxes continually bulldoze and the economy continues to decline. With so many out of work and construction halting, that means less money to buy your friends a round of drinks.
Today, Lou challenges Mayor Matfield and City Council to take action and get the funding needed to bring jobs back to Hathian.
“Get funding, get a damn company to rebuild shit and get people working again. Just rebuilding the burnt down sections of town that were recently hit by arsonist Caladan Storm, would provide jobs for contractors, suppliers, and for those who had to be let go because there was no where to work. And when they have money. They will spend money. Not just at the bar, but everywhere.”
And to emphasize just how dire the situation is, Lou revealed the hard decisions he and investor/part-owner Rachel Vond-Phoenix has had to make. The dive bar has become even more ‘dive-y’ lately since they had to stop hiring janitors to clean up the place, leaving bartenders and bouncers to make sure the bar and glasses are cleaned. Stool and chairs remain rickety or held together by duct tape. The selection of top shelf has dwindled and staff has been cut.
He does admit, though, that even if the council makes these improvements, it would be a while before Lou’s could turn it all around, as profit has been low for some time. It’ll be up to Hathian to help Lou, and the rest of Hathian’s local economy, come around.
