Fort Lauderdale proposes earlier closing times for downtown bars, facing pushback from business owners

Fort Lauderdale city officials are considering a plan to roll back bar closing times in the downtown entertainment area, a move that local business owners warn could severely impact their livelihoods.Under the proposal, closing times along Himmarshee Street would shift from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays and from 4 a.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends.Ian Lowe, owner of Original Fat Cats Bar, said late-night patrons including hospital employees, night-shift workers, and hospitality staff make up a major portion of his business."We're one of the only bars on the street that's open seven days a week till 4 a.m.," Lowe said, estimating that losing the final operating hour could slash his weekly revenue by 40 to 50 percent. "Taking care of our nighttime people, our night workers, our hospital workers, our local bar and restaurant people. We take care of them."Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis defended the proposed changes, arguing that the area has attracted a volatile crowd for too long and requir