SNOW SHOE — A perfect storm of social and economic factors that led to the decision to close the Snow Shoe Fire Company’s club room, according to longtime fire company member Don Morgan.
Morgan cited ever-increasing operating costs as the main reason for the closure of the 70-year-old club. Pennsylvania law now allows lawsuits for damages for acts committed by intoxicated bar patrons. This mandates liability insurance to be purchased by bar owners.
“That costs us about $5,000 a year,” said Morgan. “And that’s on top of our regular liability insurance.”
Rising costs for heat and electricity were also contributing factors, according to Morgan.
Another factor cited by Morgan was changes in the industrial landscape in the Mountaintop area.
“Years ago, we had coal mines, a brick plant and other things up here, but they’re all closed now,” he said.
The short commute from workers’ homes allowed time to stop at the firehouse for a drink on the way home, but now the area’s workers are employed in State College, Bellefonte and other locations with a longer commute.
“They don’t have time to come in here anymore,” said Morgan.
Morgan believes modern electronic technology also has had an effect on the club’s business.
“We’ve got lots of hunting camps here and hunters used to come in at night to watch television at the club and have a few drinks,” he said. “Now, they all have satellite dishes at their camps, so they don’t come to watch TV.”
The club’s proximity to route I-80 attracted many truckers to the bar, but tightening laws have reduced their patronage significantly.
“They can lose their license for a DUI,” said Morgan.
The fire company was formed in 1906, and shortly after World War II it obtained a liquor license and built a bar in the firehouse. The site became a hub of social activity in the Mountaintop area, and it was a major fundraiser for the fire company for decades.
Morgan said as business declined in recent times, steps were taken to reduce costs, such as closing the club for three days each week, hiring bands and holding dances, but profitability of the club still declined.
When all factors were considered, the decision was made by the fire company to close the establishment.
“We didn’t want to do it, but we really had no choice,” said Morgan.
Morgan said that since the closing on April 8, the bar’s liquor license has been returned to the PLCB in Harrisburg, all open containers were dumped, by law, and unopened liquor containers were returned to state liquor stores.
Morgan noted there was one glimmer of hope for the club.
“We might be able to reopen under a new name,” he said. “Our lawyer is looking into that.”
