The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Issue date: 5/1/98 Section: Undefined Section

In defense of Woody's Wood-Fired Pizza & Watering Hole, we the employees of this fine establishment have taken offense to the uncomplimentary opinions of our policies. Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is an inherent human right." We fully understand and appreciate this inherent right and encourage everyone, young and old, to pursue it to the fullest. However, in accordance with Larimer County law enforcement rules and regulations, we are obligated to take precautions in order to uphold the liquor laws in our community. Columnist David Lord is correct in the fact that we cater to the college market that consists in part of minors. However, one of the main concerns of any restaurant/bar is the legal age of its patrons when alcohol is being served. The proximity of our location gives us a prime market to cater to college students. I also puts us at a greater risk which creates the need for a policy such as the 21-and-over one we are enforcing on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Woody's primary goal is to establish a respectable and upstanding establishment in the community. The history of this location has been one of irresponsible service of alcohol. We have worked extremely hard to change that reputation. We are not only the exception in policy, but the exception in quality and service. We hope that as intelligent college students you will all respect and understand our decision to have the Wednesday showing of South Park a 21-and-over show. With the sheer number of patrons that come in on Wednesdays it would be impossible to provide the responsible service of alcohol. We are sorry, but we all love our jobs at Woody's and would like to keep them. Minors have the opportunity to come and see South Park on Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Lord was also correct when he wrote that our primary function is to serve food, but he failed to talk with employees or management about the reasons behind our policies before publishings his feelings on the matter. If Lord would have spoken with us, we could have informed him that after 10 p.m. on any night of the week, and after 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, our primary source of income is derived from liquor sales. Due to the fact that our bar area is not very large, any overflow of people being served alcohol must sit in the dining area. This makes Woody's primarily a bar, thus our need to control liquor policies. We would have also informed Lord of our reason for changing the policy. We NEVER stated that minors were not allowed in Woody's because they were too rowdy. However, the management and staff have had many rude comments from minors when they are turned away. We respect your right to protest, but please respect our right to run a responsible establishment.

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