Calling all non-smokers and smokers

[Jim O'Bryan]

During the heated vote against smoking laws in public places, I read post from non-smoker after non-smoker about how terrible it is to go into a bar and breathe someone else's smoke. I also read from smoker after smoker that they had rights too.

Again I find myself in the middle, having been a 3 pack a day cigarette (Lucky Strikes), and a non-smoker for over 15 years I can see both sides. Part of me miss the old "bar feel and smell, the other half loves being able to smell my food or scotch.

HOWEVER IT IS TIME TO PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH AND FINGERS WERE!

There are some pretty damn fine bars and restaurants that are hurting real bad. Bad enough to possibly close in the coming months. All places that are not allowed patios are in trouble. Those with patios are merely hurting.

Non-smokers take your family out and support local businesses.

Smokers smoke three run in order, go outside and smoke another while waiting for food, eat, go out and smoke another, have a glass of wine or a drink, then run out and smoke another.

Time for all of us to belly up to the bar.

So to speak.


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[David Lay]

A similar law just took effect here in Iowa. I wonder if the same thing will happen here...

[Jim O'Bryan]

A similar law just took effect here in Iowa. I wonder if the same thing will happen here...

Oh Observer from afar

Keep us posted. The non-smokers promised they would support those businesses. Not to mention they have all that money left from not smoking to spend on good clean entertainment.

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[Todd Shapiro]

Jim,

Point well taken! We should all go out and support all the bars and restaurants in Lakewood to ensure they all stay in business. However, as a non-smoker I would tend to disagree that it is the smoking ban that is hurting these businesses. Let's honestly think about this last May when enforcement of the smoking ban was officially beginning Gas was $2.85 a gallon, the Cavs were in the midst of a championship run that packed the bars until mid-June, we had a first place baseball team that people were going out to watch and food prices were about 25% cheaper giving people more money to spend on eating out.
Also, smokers or not aren't people (smokers and non-smokers alike) more likely to desire to sit outdoors in a region where there is only 4 months of nice weather a year.
With all of that being said let all the Observers know which establishments need our business the most right now. Hell maybe you could even organize an LO night out at one of them!

[David Lay]

I did come across this Op-Ed piece in the Des Moines Register. He cited Kentucky's passing of the first smoking ban a few years ago.

Here's The Register's editorial take on the ban.

[Ed Dickson]

I agree with Todd. I am a non-smoker and am glad to have my choice of any place I want now. Truth is, I eat out MUCH less today than I did a year ago and it has everything to do with gas prices and everything else escalating. I would be happy to support the places that need it (if it's worthy) if I knew who it was.

[David Lay]

I agree with Todd. I am a non-smoker and am glad to have my choice of any place I want now. Truth is, I eat out MUCH less today than I did a year ago and it has everything to do with gas prices and everything else escalating. I would be happy to support the places that need it (if it's worthy) if I knew who it was.

You could be right. I'd be willing to speculate that the drop in patronage could be related to gas prices & the economy, not so much because of the smoking ban.

[Jim O'Bryan]

[You could be right. I'd be willing to speculate that the drop in patronage could be related to gas prices & the economy, not so much because of the smoking ban.

I am working on a story for the paper and do not want to give too much away, however it deals with values, quality, service, and size of family.

For nearly the same price you can get a better burger from the WestEnd, Around the Corner, Coffee Pot, or others than you can from McDonalds.

Go one step further to The Place to be and/or Mahalls and they are less than McDonalds.


FWIW


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[Lynn Farris]

Jim,

While I see you differentiate between bars with patios and those without.

Is it possible that smoking versus non smoking has little to do with this?

It is my understanding with the economy, the cost of gas and the cost of food skyrocketing people have been going out to eat and to bars less lately.

Is it possible that the bars with patios e.g., Around the Corner were more popular before the downturn in the economy? and continue to be more popular?

I must say I have gone to a lot of places in Lakewood that I have never went to before because they always smelled like smoke. So the smoking ban has opened up lots of new places for me.

[Bryan Schwegler]

There are some pretty damn fine bars and restaurants that are hurting real bad. Bad enough to possibly close in the coming months. All places that are not allowed patios are in trouble. Those with patios are merely hurting.

These business need to do a better job marketing or doing unique things to attract business, especially in today's economy.

They can't just sit there and wait for people to come to them, they need to take action. If they don't, they close.

That's the cruel world of business for better or worse. Many of the "bars" in Lakewood are just too similar. There are a few that stand apart, but I'd imagine those are the ones least hurting.

But I agree with many others that the smoking ban is not the cause of their troubles. It's a combo of poor economy in general and poor marketing or business strategy on their part.

Bars are saturated here. Maybe it's good for a few to close.

[Jim O'Bryan]

But I agree with many others that the smoking ban is not the cause of their troubles. It's a combo of poor economy in general and poor marketing or business strategy on their part.

Bars are saturated here. Maybe it's good for a few to close.

Bryan

I can point out time and time again when the ban has hurt. The only way cities have been able to reduce that rend is making smoking illegal within 1,000' of a restaurant, which I believe is how California made the comeback.

All I was doing is asking for those that supported the ban to now back up their words with actions.

To ask those bars to now, run specials or advertise more, or offer discounts is very, very, very disingenuous at best.

Time to put up or shut up.

Three business I talking about do not "deserve to go out of business."




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[Ivor Karabatkovic]

It's not that non-smokers aren't supporting the businesses, it's simply that the food sucks.

I can think of ONE restaurant in Lakewood that I would like to go and eat. That's La Pita Express. I wouldn't pay a dime for any of the other garbage around town....blah.

Plus, I'd rather make my own food the way I like it and save money than going to a place, getting mediocre service and garbage on a platter.

But I do agree with you Jim that we should support our businesses here. That's if you like the food. I have friends that practically live at ATC, or Phoenix coffee, etc. etc. And as far as gas prices are concerned, Lakewood is such a walkable city that this shouldn't be part of the equation. I'm sure everyone can find one or two nearby restaurants to support. I support Carlucci's, Angelo's and La Pita Express. They're about a 5-15 minute walk from my home....a walk that I would gladly make if I was hungry.

Off to marinade the steaks, tomorrow is our 10 year anniversary of moving to the US.

[Jim O'Bryan]

It's not that non-smokers aren't supporting the businesses, it's simply that the food sucks.

I can think of ONE restaurant in Lakewood that I would like to go and eat. That's La Pita Express. I wouldn't pay a dime for any of the other garbage around town....blah..

Off to marinade the steaks, tomorrow is our 10 year anniversary of moving to the US.

I am figuring you meant "can't" not "can" Actually I can take you to some pretty damn good places to eat in this city and very inexpensive.

I remember when the ban was being talked about the number of non-smokers that promised these places would make it up with the non-smokers now flooding in to the clean eating environments.

Now I read a whole list of excuses why they can't!

Please!

I am not asking non-smokers to drive to Fire in Shaker. I am asking those to walk to the corner place. If you feel the service is bad or do not want the added tip, order to go. We must support these places now.


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[Jim DeVito]

I would have to say it is a mixed bag.

People are hurting in the wallet more now so eating and drinking out have become once and a while thing for some people.

So while I will not go so far as to say the ban is the main cause, it the view on Madison cannot be ignored. On Friday nights I frequent a pub on Madison. The particular bar has a very nice patio that is always bursting at the seams on Friday's. The view is a bit more dismal at the two bars right next door where they have no patios. There may only be 5-10 people at those two places when I look in.

So I guess the point is that the ban is not the root of all evil, but when you mix that with the current economic downturn the situation is looking a little bleak.

Go out and enjoy the bars people!!!

[Jim O'Bryan]

The view is a bit more dismal at the two bars right next door where they have no patios. There may only be 5-10 people at those two places when I look in.

So I guess the point is that the ban is not the root of all evil, but when you mix that with the current economic downturn the situation is looking a little bleak.

Go out and enjoy the bars people!!!

The difference is the ban my friend.

patios are the loophole.

However if all of those who promised, kept their word...

Maybe these places could get that rooftop patio Shawn is speaking of in another thread.

FWIW


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