Sell Block Tavern?
Donnie was just as shocked to hear this news as he was when he heard that Cameron had received a recommendation letter from a heavyweight, which got him into Columbia University.
Although Donnie already owned a tavern in Atlantic City, this trip back to Elwood Village was also meant to bring some people over, Donnie had never thought about closing down the family tavern in Elwood Village.
In Donnie's plans, this place was going to be an important stronghold for him!
But now, Carl's decision had completely ruined all of Donnie's previous plans.
Soon, Donnie understood why Carl wanted to do this, firstly, it was definitely to prepare for Cameron's tuition fees, as the United States' student loan policy wouldn't come out until after World War II.
Before that, the policies implemented by American universities were actually not much different from those in Europe, where schools provided scholarships and financial aid to students.
However, the directors of the educational charity, the American Education Association, believed that money obtained in the form of gifts fostered an atmosphere of "laziness, idleness, and luxury" among college students, and thus decided to change most grants and financial aids from non-repayable to repayable by half, and later changed it to requiring students to repay the full amount.
In the last century, Harvard was the first to create its own student loan program by using donations from the wealthy to set up their own student loan fund and granted the first student loan in American history.
But no matter what, in the United States at present, it's not feasible for an ordinary family to meet the tuition requirements of a university.
Cameron is the pride of the Block Family, and although Carl is usually reserved and taciturn, he is not a short-sighted person. He knows that to change the fate of the Block Family, he has to support Cameron in completing his university education!
Donnie had no objections to Carl's idea because Donnie also understood that although the United States touted economic freedom, in reality, to expand a business without connections in the government was simply impossible.
And Cameron would also become one of the important allies for Donnie in the business world in the future!
Besides this reason, there must be the impending enforcement of Prohibition!
After the official enactment of Prohibition, taverns would essentially have no space to exist; Carl must want to take advantage of this last opportunity to sell Block Tavern!
"Dad, I...."
At this moment, Cameron showed an embarrassed expression, as Carl was planning for his sake, but he still felt that because of him alone, the entire family's livelihood was being delayed, which inevitably put some pressure on him. Attending a good university was something he had always yearned for, so although he started to speak, he didn't know how to continue!
"Cameron, don't overthink it!" John spoke up at this time, patting Cameron's shoulder and said, "You are the pride of our Block Family. Once you finish your university education, you will take on the responsibility of leading the Block Family forward. It's okay for us all to suffer a bit now!"
After finishing, John made a joke, "Anyway, Prohibition is about to start, and we wouldn't be able to continue the tavern business then!"
Seeing John say this, Carl and Jennifer also showed relieved expressions.
We are a family!
In the end, everyone looked at Donnie, who had been silent all along!
In their hearts, Donnie had just been brought back to life and had come down from the battlefield. John had learned Carl's brewing skills and had decent culinary skills; he could become a chef. Cameron was going to university; both of them had their own way out.
The only one without a skill, the second son who had not learned brewing and only caused trouble, was Donnie!
"I don't think selling Block Tavern will be of any help to our family!"
Under the gaze of everyone, Donnie directly stated his plans.
This answer also made everyone reveal a disappointed expression that wasn't very surprising.
"Donnie, your dad and I have already discussed it. We can use the money from selling the tavern to buy a farm. You can then learn some farming skills, and with your dad and me around, you won't have problems in the future!" Jennifer said with some distress.
"Second brother, don't worry. After I graduate from college, I will definitely introduce a very good job for you!"
Cameron said pleadingly.
"This is not a matter of discussion with you, but a notification. Do you understand?" Carl said with displeasure.
"Donnie, don't worry, I will help you. I have been learning about farm work lately!" John sat down next to Donnie.
"You all misunderstood me!" Donnie explained to everyone's statements, "According to dad's plans, the money from selling the tavern has two purposes: one is to pay for Cameron's college tuition; the other is to buy a farm. But in two months, Prohibition will be officially enforced.
You want to sell Block Tavern during this period, but the buyers will definitely be aware of this and will surely drive a hard bargain.
According to the current market situation, Block Tavern can hardly sell for more than five to six hundred US dollars. This amount of money would hardly cover Cameron's tuition for a year, not to mention leaving some for buying a farm!"