32 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
WEDNESDAY,JUNE11,2003
LOUNGE: Bella Lounge hopes word of mouth will attract customers, good reputation
Zach Straus/Kansan
Patrons order drinks from the bar at The Bella Lounge, 925 Iowa St. The recently opened establishment is the only bar in Lawrence that does not allow smoking.
"It's a risk," Farha said. "I have a stack of ashtrays in the back just in case."
"It takes a lot of patience," Farha said. "I've been pleasantly surprised."
Since opening almost one month ago, Farha has relied on word of mouth to spread the word about the bar.
The only advertising the Lounge had was an article in the Journal-World and a story on Channel 27 News.
On weekends, the Lounge fills with a crowd that is older than the traditional KU student.
Waitress Jessica Wachter, a Lawrence resident, said opening in the summer made it hard to tell whether the lounge would lure college students.
Lawrence Mayor David Dunfield said he encouraged restaurants and bars to become smoke-free. Dunfield appointed a six-member task force in April to propose alternatives based on other cities' models.
Task force member Peach Madl, owner of the Sandbar, said the committee was compiling information on the pros and cons of smoking bans.
Farha said bar owners should be able to choose whether to allow smoking.
"I don't want any federal government, state government or municipality to put
out a law that says I have to be smoke-free," Farha said.
In January, Salina officials banned smoking in restaurants from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Farha is cautiously gauging how the public responds to the non-smoking rule.
"In the winter, will people still want to
go outside or are we going to lose a lot of business?" Farha questioned. "It's definitely a risk."
The Lounge's ethereal interior contrasts with Farha's wood-clad Wheel. Chairs are padded with thick cushions, and the ceiling has wavy artistic touches.
"I don't want any federal government, state government or municipality to put out a law that says I have to be smoke-free."
Rob Farha
Bella Lounge owner
Customers are expected to abide by a dress code of no t-shirts or hats. An exception for hats is made on Wednesdays - a day that golfers come out in droves.
"We've had people come up who weren't properly dressed in our opinion," Farha said. "They've said, 'No problem.' They turn around and come back 30 minutes later."
At 10 p.m. on Friday nights, a deejay and dance floor replaces Sammy Davis Jr.'s golden oldies.
Jazz bands perform Saturdays from 9 p.m. to midnight, and Farha said he may schedule solo folk acts in the future.
"We're winging it," Farha said.
The Bella Lounge is open Monday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. until 2 a.m.
— Edited by Richard Gintowt