Bangor landmark's closure blamed on smoking ban

The Bangor Daily Snooze ^ | Friday, August 04, 2006 | N/A

[metesky]

Bangor landmark's closure blamed on smoking ban
Friday, August 04, 2006 - Bangor Daily News

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 Diana Miller (left to right), Cindy Marsters and Debbie Merritt share a laugh at Pat's Cafe on State Street in Bangor. Merritt's father, Del Merritt, owns Pat's, which is closing its doors after decades of serving as the neighborhood's bar. Longtime patrons gathered on Thursday afternoon for the final last call. BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY KATE COLLINS
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BANGOR - Beers and tears and lots of laughter in between.

Pat's Cafe, Bangor's last neighborhood beer joint, officially closed its doors after last call early Sunday morning.

The doors briefly reopened Thursday for a private party that owner Del Merritt threw to thank some of the people who have supported his bar through the years.

The midpoint of Merritt's five-hour "went-out-of-business" bash found a crowd of about 40 people, all of whom dropped by to say goodbye to a place they say will always hold a special place in their hearts.

"This was the last 'beer bar' around. There's no other place like it," said Shirley Philbrick, who tends bar at nearby Judy's Restaurant, also owned by Merritt. Famous for its hearty breakfasts, Judy's is staying open.

"It's just a neighborhood bar that everybody comes to. Everybody's family here," Philbrick said about Pat's.

As beer joints go, Pat's was about as authentic as you can get. No cocktails, no food, no fancy umbrella drinks - just cold beer and pool.

"It really sucks. I've been coming here since I was 16, and here I am almost 50 now," said Donnie Lahaye, one of three Bangor brothers who have come to think of the crowd at Pat's as extended family.

"This is where we met," his younger brother, Timothy Lahaye, said as he draped an arm around his wife, Marta.

"My whole family has been here," Timothy Lahaye said, adding that he, Marta and the rest of the clan likely would divide their time among nearby Judy's and the Waverly and The Tavern downtown.

Another brother, Gene Lahaye, was a bartender at Pat's. He was pressed into service pouring beers during Thursday's party and was too busy to chat.

Pat's Cafe has stood at 115 State St. since 1965, when its original owner, Jim Furlong, moved it to "The Hill" from Exchange Street, according to Merritt, who has owned the business for the last 17 years.

Merritt said the bar was named after Furlong's wife. Although it changed hands a few times before Merritt bought it, the bar has always kept the same name.

Pat's experienced some notoriety in 1988, when it was the scene of an argument that triggered the fatal shooting of Peter Bassett, a 39-year-old postal worker. The shooting, which occurred outside of nearby Judy's, remains among Bangor's unsolved murders.

Merritt blames the neighborhood bar's demise on a two-year-old state law banning smoking in bars and taverns. At the time, he predicted that the ban would kill his business.

"It happened just as I said it would," Merritt said Thursday, adding that since the law took effect, his staff at Pat's has gone from three full-timers to two part-timers.

"We're being run by communists in this country. It's crazy," he said.

Merritt has heard reports that former patrons who used to drop $30 a night at his bar had started frequenting the Eagles Club in Brewer, which, because of its private status, allows smoking.

Because Thursday's gathering was a private one, attendees were free to light up inside, and for the first time in two years, the air was thick with cigarette smoke.

Among those who lost their job at Pat's was long-time bartender Noreen Goss, who worked for the former owner and stayed on when Merritt bought the bar.

"I came with the business," she said while pouring beers for the crowd clustered around the bar.

"And she's going with the business," Merritt quipped.

"Hey, anybody want to buy Noreen?" he boomed across the bar, drawing chuckles all around.

"She's a classy lady," Jerry Breen, a professional karaoke singer from Bangor, said of Goss.

Merritt plans to turn the bar into apartments, Debbie Merritt, the owner's daughter and employee, said.

The individually painted ceiling tiles, sponsored for $5 each by patrons, business associates, friends and others, will have to be taken down, but they just might find a new home in her house, Debbie Merritt, who works at Judy's, said.

Del Merritt said now that he's running only one business on The Hill, he no longer has to "compete against myself," so he can offer $2 beers at Judy's without worrying about hurting the bottom line at Pat's.

"I'm just going to be more competitive all around," he said.

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http://www.bangordailynews.com

[metesky]

Another one bites the dust...

[A. Pole]

PC on the march

[metesky]

This would be a combination niconazi/nanny state ping.

[metesky]

Except for some sporadic rear guard actions, it seems the march is turning into a route.

What happened to the free country we grew up in?

[Onelifetogive]

Jerry Breen, a professional karaoke singer

I never knew there was such a thing...

[psychopuppy]

Pat's? hmm never heard of 'em and I live in Bangor lol.

[metesky]

State Street at the top of the hill, just beyond what is now the Dollar Store. Small, typical neighborhood bar formerly filled with decent people and a level pool table, two doors down from Judy's.

[Madame Dufarge]

Merritt has heard reports that former patrons who used to drop $30 a night at his bar had started frequenting the Eagles Club in Brewer, which, because of its private status, allows smoking.

A member of the Eagles Club recently recounted how former Eagles Club members who'd let their memberships lapse re-joined in droves for the sole purpose of warding off the Nico-nazis attempt to have smoking banned there.

The brownshirts lost that battle, but their hubris is unbridled. They'll be back, property rights be damned.

[Katya]

I love how in the year after a smoking ban comes into effect, the local govts' will tout the increase in restaurant and bar sales, without mentioning that bar and restaurant sales have been going up yearly regardless of a ban. Of course they never mention the places that have had to close down.

[metesky]

And of course they throw places like Mickey D's and Wendy's and all the chains in with the small Mom and Pop bars and saloons, not telling folks that they're comparing apples and oranges.

Lies, damn lies and statistics...

[SheLion]

Thanks for posting this metesky.  I sure am amazed that the liberal rag, the Bangor Daily News, even POSTED this.

Thanks again!!!!

[Gabz]

Nanny State Ping.

[SheLion]

I love how in the year after a smoking ban comes into effect, the local govts' will tout the increase in restaurant and bar sales, without mentioning that bar and restaurant sales have been going up yearly regardless of a ban. Of course they never mention the places that have had to close down.

THE REAL FACTS OF THE SMOKING BANS IMPACT ON BUSINESS'S
The Facts

I love how in the year after a smoking ban comes into effect, the local govts' will tout the increase in restaurant and bar sales, without mentioning that bar and restaurant sales have been going up yearly regardless of a ban. Of course they never mention the places that have had to close down.

THE REAL FACTS OF THE SMOKING BANS IMPACT ON BUSINESS'S
The Facts

[Politically Correct]

Merritt has heard reports that former patrons who used to drop $30 a night at his bar had started frequenting the Eagles Club in Brewer, which, because of its private status, allows smoking.

OK, stupid question.
Why didn't Merritt just go private?

[AGreatPer]

"We're being run by communists in this country"

The Pennsylvania Restaurant Association just backed a smoking ban bill that is in the House now. Yep, it's gonna happen here too.

[patton]

Sounds like a joint I would have liked.

[Gabz]

The Pennsylvania Restaurant Association just backed a smoking ban bill that is in the House now.

The restaurant associations ar generally heavily populated by the chain restaurants....LoneStar, Applebee's, Ruby Tuesday's, etc. They can handle the downturn in business, until the local corner taverns and mom & pop diners go under - then they become the only game in town.

Where are all the bleeding hearts who squawk about WalMart hurting mom & pop stores?

[Madame Dufarge]

If it were that simple, I can't imagine why every tavern in Maine hasn't gone that course.

There are no doubt a host of obstacles to overcome.

[DakotaRed]

Nanny staters will say when, where and how you may enjoy yourself. In the meantime, just open your wallets and send them the money they want.

Someone has to make up for lost revenue.

[Madame Dufarge]

Where are all the bleeding hearts who squawk about WalMart hurting mom & pop stores?

You mean the same bleeding hearts who care about the "little pipples" in the abstract, but never in the particular?

They're probably busy polishing their hammers and sickles.

[383rr]

"We're being run by communists in this country. It's crazy," he said"

That statement pretty much fits the bill. I'm sure all the little baby josef stalins will be around soon to announce their glee at this.

It's sickening.

[383rr]

"Sounds like a joint I would have liked."

Also reminds me of a place I worked at part time, after my regular job, back in the early '90s. Jack and Joyce, the folks who owned it, were in their late sixties, then. Joyce had homemade wing nights, specials, all the good stuff. Everyone there knew each other, and those two treated me like a son. I rented the upstairs apartment from them, like I said, they were super people.

No good can come of these things.

As Jack would say, "I fought these basta^#s in korea, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let 'em in here."

[patton]

I had a similar side job in Germany. Loved it.

[383rr]

Thanks for the ping.

It makes me sick everytime I see something like this. These kinds of things are the essence of socialism. Run everybody out that doesn't agree with the agenda. Josef stalin would be proud.

[Madame Dufarge]

Pat's was a place that no smoking Nazi would have come within a thousand yards of.

All those icky working class types frequented the place, don't ya know.

I mean, if one has to have his house roofed or his car repaired I suppose one can tolerate their presence for short periods.

But to socialize with them? I think not!

Well, at least the icky people won't be congregating in large groups any more, thanks to the Holy Smoking Bans.

[383rr]

Pat's was a place that no smoking Nazi would have come within a thousand yards of.
"All those icky working class types frequented the place, don't ya know.

I mean, if one has to have his house roofed or his car repaired I suppose one can tolerate their presence for short periods.

But to socialize with them? I think not!"

They can't be hanging around us 'ol dirtball mechanics, LOL!
Some of the secondhand transmission fliud might magically leap off my shirt and get on their armani suits. What a pathetic group of people they are. A lot of insecure little brats, throwing tantrums because they can't stand the idea of you enjoying something on your own terms.

I sometimes think they do these things because deep down inside they can't STAND THEMSELVES.

[SheLion]

The Pennsylvania Restaurant Association just backed a smoking ban bill that is in the House now. Yep, it's gonna happen here too.

Read the news across the state of Pennsylvania

[SheLion]

Smoking bans-Maine

[SheLion]

Nanny staters will say when, where and how you may enjoy yourself. In the meantime, just open your wallets and send them the money they want.

Smokers have no choice when it comes to lining the purses of the idiot highly paid professional anti-smokers.

They are being paid with the taxes smokers pay on cigarettes!  Smokers are paying for all this personal abuse, bans and restrictions just for buying a legal product!

And the anti's scream they want smoke free.  Yes, right!  They would then be out of a cushy job AND a paycheck.  They talk out of both sides of their filthy mouths!

[Madame Dufarge]

I sometimes think they do these things because deep down inside they can't STAND THEMSELVES.

I can't stand them either. At last - common ground!

[Gabz]

Maybe they should be testing these on antis instead of mice:

"Anti-stupid" pill tested on mice

[Gabz]

Maybe they should be testing these on antis instead of mice:

"Anti-stupid" pill tested on mice

[SheLion]

It makes me sick everytime I see something like this. These kinds of things are the essence of socialism. Run everybody out that doesn't agree with the agenda. Josef stalin would be proud.

I know some on my Maine ping list are pissed at me because I am telling everyone I know that comes to Maine for vacations, and those that smoke, to take their money to a more friendly smokers state.  Why would any smoker come spend hard earned cash in this state where they can't smoke anywhere? 

I have to LIVE here and that's bad enough.  Our lawmakers (most) suck!

[Madame Dufarge]

I hold out more hope for the mice.

[Drew68]

Another one bites the dust...

Where are the legions of health-conscious non-smokers and there fistfulls of dollars who were to flood these seedy dive bars with business once smoking was banned?

[SheLion]

Where are the legions of health-conscious non-smokers and there fistfulls of dollars who were to flood these seedy dive bars with business once smoking was banned?

Here's one sign outside a private business in Washington state:

[metesky]

"It really sucks. I've been coming here since I was 16, and here I am almost 50 now," said Donnie Lahaye, one of three Bangor brothers who have come to think of the crowd at Pat's as extended family.

I identify with this guy. When I was a kid I had that caterpillar-on-the-lip look, so I started shaving at eleven yo. Being six foot tall, I was perfectly positioned for under-age drinking @ 15. LOL! So, I've been in bars and around that scene for 47 years now.

I've seen some changes, none for the better.

[383rr]

"I know some on my Maine ping list are pissed at me because I am telling everyone I know that comes to Maine for vacations, and those that smoke, to take their money to a more friendly smokers state. Why would any smoker come spend hard earned cash in this state where they can't smoke anywhere?"

I am taking your advice. We wanted to go to maine, but I have decided against it. We might pass through, but we will not stay for the whole vacation. The only thing that would make it worth going there would be to make sure metesky is behaving.

[metesky]

At Starbucks drinking $4.00 mocha lattes...

[genew]

See tagline.

[metesky]

It ain't happenin', Bub!
;O)

[takenoprisoner]

A wet dream come true for prohibitionists. Finally they found the key to put local bars out of business.

[Madame Dufarge]

make sure metesky is behaving.

The paper training is just starting to take, but I can't vouch for the rest of the regimen.

[metesky]

It's always been my opinion and the opinion of several others here that all this SHS nonsense is nothing but back-door prohibition.

[Drew68]

At Starbucks drinking $4.00 mocha lattes...

Or church. They're on both sides of the spectrum.

I have a co-worker who considers himself a die-hard Republican to the core. He's totally supportive of smoking bans in bars. He's never touched a drop of alcohol in his life and has never set foot in a bar. And he has no intentions of starting.

It is people like him who get smoking ordinances passed when they are put to a popular vote.

In a just world, only people who patronize bars should be allowed to vote on whether a bar should ban smoking. I think this is called "voting with your wallet."

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"We're being run by communists in this country. It's crazy," he said.

Bears repeating.

[SheLion]

I am taking your advice. We wanted to go to maine, but I have decided against it. We might pass through, but we will not stay for the whole vacation. The only thing that would make it worth going there would be to make sure metesky is behaving.

Coming to Maine to meet Madame Dufarge and metesky would be the ONLY good thing!!!!! 

[Drew68]

When I was a kid I had that caterpillar-on-the-lip look, so I started shaving at eleven yo. Being six foot tall, I was perfectly positioned for under-age drinking @ 15. LOL!

Sounds like my little brother. When he was 16 he looked 30. And he liked to party! My mother went around to all the neighborhood liquor stores with his photo and said, "Do not sell alcohol to this 16 year-old boy!"

[Moonman62]

Pat's? hmm never heard of 'em and I live in Bangor lol.

From the article I got the impression that they are at the bottom of the food chain.

[Doc Savage]

When your claim to fame is a "beer joint" populated by drunks, skanks, and assorted addicted personalities, you begin to realize what a complete waste your life has been in such a worthless, god-forsaken hell-hole. Have a nice day!