Mobile club idles on Airbus news

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Nearly every town has a place to go where everyone knows your name.

For workers at the Brookley Complex in Mobile, Alabama that place is named "Pappa Buddha's."

"We're kind of waiting to see what actually happens," said Harry Barnes, son of Pappa Buddha's owner Willie.

Barnes says they renovated Buddha's when airbus was expected to build a U. S. Air Force refueling tanker here.

For twenty years Harry's late father Willie has served up cold beers and kicked up cocktails to local workers and residents 24-hours-a-day, 7-days a week, all year long.

Today Harry, who practically grew up shooting pool inside Buddha's runs the place.

"If it does happen we'll build a little bigger to accommodate the more people that will be here," said Barnes.

Barnes said this year has been the slowest year for business since the Gulf oil spill.

"It's getting worse and worse," said Barnes.

State officials with knowledge of the airbus plans estimate 2,500 construction jobs could be created.

"We're hoping to get at least 5 to 10-percent of that 2,500," said Barnes.

Buddha's is a members only bar, with free membership.

It may create an expedited process for all the new members to join.

Barnes says it's been about six years since business was up.

Right now they will wait like others that could benefit from an Airbus plant in Mobile and hope they're not let down once again.