I don't think I have ever seen the basic economics of running a bar actually hit a newspaper as a story. But here it is in New Zealand:
Wages, insurance, rent, rates, taxes, repairs and maintenance, cleaners, fixtures and fittings, heat, light and power, telephone, entertainment and security costs all need to be taken into account. "It's not a garage selling twist tops, we sell quality products. You have got to provide a convivial atmosphere and inviting environment. You have got to make it a place where people want to come," Mr Burleigh said. "Drinking at Peggy Gordon's is totally different to drinking in the garage at your home." Mr van Praagh said the hospitality industry was not a cash cow. "At the end of the day we are here to make a living but as you can see from the number of bars that shut down in town, it is not that easy," Mr van Praagh said.
I know NZ is something of an oddly different place but - heavens to Betsy - what would Mitt think about all this having to explain capitalism? The concerns arose out of a public debate on minimum pricing policy, more about how cheap supermarket beer is down there and just exactly who was "usually responsible for the majority of the trouble caused in town later at night."
Still, sad to see that Grumpy Mole went out of business.