Big Shots closing?

Students may have heard the rumor about the bar, located at 2522 Chamberlain St., swirling around the streets of Campustown recently, but co-owner Scott Davis says it’s just that — a rumor.

“From my present financial situation, I don’t see us closing any time in the near future,” Davis says. “Or any time, for that matter.”

Davis admits to hearing the gossip. He speculates the information might stem from the fact the club has been experiencing a few slow nights during the week.

“Maybe if someone came in during those nights and saw we didn’t have that much of a crowd, that’s when they thought we might be going under,” he says.

Wendell Mosby, hospitality and promotions coordinator of Big Shots, attributes some of the slow weekday business to factors such as the sagging economy, increasing tuition and the seemingly impending war with Iraq.

It’s not just Big Shots that is feeling the pinch, he says.

“I’ve been in Ames seven years and this is probably the worst I have ever seen it,” Mosby says. “Who can afford to go out even three times a week unless you’re going somewhere with rock-bottom specials?”

One rock-bottom special Big Shots won’t be featuring anymore is its infamous “Ladies’ Night” on Thursday evenings.

Previously, the club collected a cover charge of $5 for women and $6 for men in return for a “bottomless cup.” The city council’s drink ordinance, which was passed Monday, nixed all-you-can-drink specials for good.

Both Mosby and Davis say the ordinance’s passing did not surprise them, but neither believe it was passed for the proper reasons.

“It’s purely cosmetic in the fact they get it in the paper and make it look like they are doing something for the community,” Davis says. “They really haven’t even addressed an eighth of the problem.”

City council member Sharon Wirth says the ordinance will not stop binge drinking in its tracks, but feels it is a solid step toward controlling alcohol abuse in Ames.

“Studies show that cheaper alcohol results in more drinking,” Wirth says. “This ordinance is one small part. Is it going to be the answer? No. Is it going to be a piece of the puzzle? Yes.”

Mosby agrees with Davis and also calls the ordinance cosmetic. He says the city council is “in over its head,” and passed the ordinance to avoid embarrassment.

“They don’t want to deal with it anymore because they didn’t realize what the hell they got themselves into,” Mosby says. “I think they just wanted to get out of it as quickly as possible because it makes them look stupid because they didn’t do any homework. How much good is it going to do as far as deterring binge drinking? Like I told them when I was there to speak, I think it is highly unlikely it is going to do anything.”

Wirth says the ordinance has already shown promise.

“If you look at the statistics, 30 to 40 percent of students binge drink,” she says. “I think [the ordinance] has already been successful because it has raised awareness. Will it change the statistics? We don’t know.”

The Thursday night all-you-can-drink special is Big Shots’ most popular night of the week, Mosby says, but Davis is confident the club won’t suffer a big hit in revenue due to the city council’s actions. He wants to assure his customers another special will replace the now discontinued ladies’ night.

“I don’t think it is going to hurt us that badly,” Davis says. “I’ve been telling everyone who comes in here concerned that the special we do on that night will be just as good, if not better, than before.”

Even though Big Shots has established itself as one of the major players in the Ames club/bar scene and Davis has declared rumors to be bunk, he is still hesitant in declaring the club a success — yet.

“Any time you go into a business like this, it is hard to tell within the first two years how successful you have been,” Davis explains. “I think it is too early to be a success, but I definitely don’t think it is going to be a failure.”