Rapid City strip club changes business plan - KOTA Territory News

Rapid City strip club changes business plan

The two-for-one drinks may stick around under the new business plan but Shotgun Willies is undergoing changes.

"We thought we were cutting ourselves short of a lot of business. If you have 100 people who go out to the bars, there's going to be a very small percentage that want to go see female entertainers," said Aaron Johnson, bar owner. 

Instead of a stage, pole and mood lights - look for a pool table, foosball ball and darts. Johnson said the image of running an adult oriented business is part of the reason.

"Everybody kind of looks down on you, like I'm the bad guy," Johnson said.

Johnson said managing the dancers is also a huge headache.

"You know, they say the Full Throttle is drama TV, they don't have nothing compared to Shotgun Willies."

Drama aside, Johnson has noticed another trend. "As the night progresses, I've noticed that we get more and more customers on the bar side than on the stage side."

"I don't really come here for the dancers," said customer Steve Wipf. "I come here to have a few drinks and socialize with friends. The dancers are just one of the perks."

While customers admit they will miss the dancers, at least some are open to the change.

"I think they need a neighborhood bar on this side of town. There's a lot of people that won't to east of the gap in fear of DUI's," said Johnson. 

And if the idea doesn't work, Johnson said,"Then we can always go back."

September 1, 2012 is the last night of dancing at Shotgun Willies. Although, Johnson said he will keep his AOB license current. As for the new name - he's keeping that under wraps.