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| The Halfway Restaurant, on M-57 west of Greenville, went smoke-free on Jan. 1. |
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1/24/2009 8:20:00 AM
Smoke-free OK for business
Diana Henderson
Staff Writer
Even though Michigan doesn't have a law banning smoking in public places, a number of area restaurants already have chosen to go that way on their own.
The Halfway Restaurant in Oakfield Township and Margo's Family Restaurant in downtown Greenville both went no-smoking effective Jan. 1 while the Clifford Lake Inn in Douglass Township and the Corner Bar and Sam's Joint, both in downtown Rockford, all did the same more than a year ago.
Representatives from the Clifford Lake Inn, the Corner Bar and the Halfway Restaurant all report that business has increased since they changed to completely nonsmoking.
Meanwhile, the owner of Margo's Family Restaurant says that business has been slower than before while the general manager at Sam's Joint reports that business has stayed about the same since the business eliminated all smoking.
Clifford Lake Inn
The Clifford Lake Inn has been smoke-free for nearly two years.
Owner Steve Eipper said he decided not to allow smoking after completing a remodeling project.
"We thought it was a good time since all the paint and wallpaper was fresh," he said. "It was a good time to start and give it a try. We knew there was a growing trend that way and we wanted to be one of the first ones to give it a try."
Eipper said he does miss his smoking customers and encouraged them to come during the summer when they can go out on the deck where smoking is allowed. However, he said the overall result of going no-smoking has been positive.
"A lot of people have come just because we are nonsmoking," said Eipper. "We did lose some smokers and we regretfully lost some smokers, but now that all the other restaurants are doing it they are kind of accepting it.
"Our sales actually went up in 2007-2008," he said. "We have people drive a long way just because we are nonsmoking."
Corner Bar
The Corner Bar hasn't permitted smoking since Sept. 22, 2007.
General Manager David McCloud said the business wanted to "be ahead of the game" when a smoking ban eventually passes the Michigan Legislature and thought "it just made business sense" because the restaurant features family style dining with a lot of children.
"Obviously the smoking clientele was very upset but, you know what, you can't deny great food and great service," he said. "If we supply what guests want, regardless of if it's smoking or not, they will be back."
McCloud said that even after a 16 months people notice there's a difference with the eatery being smoke-free.
"We have a wonderful clientele and they come in more often now, maybe two to three times a month," he said. "We get compliments every day, "thank you so much for going nonsmoking.' Everyone loves it."
Halfway Restaurant
Co-Owner Missy Brower said the Halfway Restaurant recently changed to nonsmoking because the business' operators thought it was the best thing to do and the right time.
"We seem to have more nonsmokers than smokers and there's always a waiting list for nonsmoking on our busiest nights," she stated. "We're able to accommodate our customers better."
Brower said the number of customers have increased since the Jan. 1 switch.
"There are just a handful of people that are not happy," she said. "For the most part the majority of the people are very glad that we've gone no-smoking.
"I talked to the smokers and they said, "that's fine, we can handle an hour without smoking a cigarette,'" said Brower. "They understand that it's a business decision and certainly not personal."
Margo's Family Restaurant
Margo Browning, owner of Margo's Family Restaurant, said she's not against smoking and used to be a smoker herself but decided not to allow smoking in her restaurant because she believes children shouldn't be exposed to smoke.
"I didn't like it (smoking) because this is a family style restaurant and I have a lot of children coming in here and I don't think that's good for them to be in here with that," Browning said. "I'm not against smoking because I've been smoking half my life."
She said her customers appreciated the change.
"I've received a lot of good compliments on the nonsmoking, "it smells good,' they're glad it's gone that way," Browning said. "Of course, I've had some that said they'll never come back. It's an in-between thing right now, but hopefully in the end it will all work out and I'm sure it will."
She said that in six months she believes Michigan law will require every restaurant in the state to be smoke-free so she's willing to wait it out, even though business has slowed.
"We've been slow, but that doesn't mean anything because the economy is slow anyway," said Browning. "So I don't know what it is. I'm sure it will pick up later."
Sam's Joint
Sam's Joint General Manager Amy Glerum said there are seven Sam's Joints throughout West Michigan and Rockford's is the only one that's smoke-free.
It's been that way since October 2007. Glerum said the reasons are twofold.
"If the law changes we are already ready," she said. "Plus we have a pretty small restaurant and it's mostly dining."
Glerum said business has stayed about the same as when the smoking was allowed, except that now she sees more families with children coming in.
"I believe it's a good thing just for the health of other people," Glerum said. "There's a lot of nonsmokers who pretty much outweigh the smokers and we have tables outside too that we can direct the smokers outside to have them still dine.
"Our families say, "we're so glad you're not. We haven't been here in a long time and we'll be back,'" she concluded.
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Posted: Sunday, January 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Eric
I have an idea. How about get Government out of deciding what kind of atmosphere I should eat in. If I want smoke fine if not that's fine too. We the people can decide. KEEP Government out of our basic rights to choose.
Posted: Saturday, January 24, 2009
Article comment by:
whsprmst
We went to Halfway the other night and I was THRILLED that they were smoke free. We had been in there prior to the change and I walked out smelling terrible. I was very happy. The whole atmosphere was better and my meal was more enjoyable not having to inhale second hand smoke.
THANK YOU for going smoke free!!
Posted: Saturday, January 24, 2009
Article comment by:
fdr2008
I think business would actually improve with a no smoking ban. There are alot of people who don't go out because of the smoke. Cut the smoking and you can draw from a whole new group of customers, probably bigger spenders because they didn't spend $50 that week on cigs.
Posted: Saturday, January 24, 2009
Article comment by:
Walt Clevenger
Like the idea of smoke free restruants. When my
wife was on oxygen we often would not go in
certain restruants because of the smell.
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