Jimmy's Pub patron Barry Huizenga sounds likes he's reciting a
Michelin Guide entry when he extols the virtues of the East Lansing establishment: Good food, great service and a friendly atmosphere, the East Lansing systems analyst says.
And, Huizenga adds, “You don't have to worry about smelling like smoke.”
Jimmy's Pub is one of a handful of Capital region dining and drinking establishments that have gone entirely smoke-free. While legislators have resisted following the lead of 24 other states in prohibiting smoking in all public places, a few entrepreneurs have taken the bold step of banning the unhealthy practice on their own.
Some have done it to gain a competitive edge, others for health and safety reasons, and a few out of sheer practicality.
In doing so, though, business owners risked alienating the 20 to 25 percent of customers who do smoke—a sizable chunk especially in these economically harrowing times.
“When you only have 26 seats, you don't want to lose any of your customers if you don't have to,” says Roxanne Cleaveland, owner of Dalmation's Firehouse Grill, 1107 S Washington Ave., which went smokeless in April 2008.
But the “lost business” fears don’t always come true. If fact, by ditching the ashtrays, the REO Town-based breakfast nook has actually seen an up-tick in business.
“I might have lost one or two smoking customers, but on a whole, they just step outside and have a cigarette,” Cleaveland says. “I had people who stopped coming here because we were a smoking restaurant.” But, she adds, "I had people who actually called and said they would be coming back because they were happy to see we were smoke free now.”
At
Harrison Roadhouse, a few cigarette-toting customers do “unfortunately” whip a u-turn when they hit the front door, says Courtney Antonelli, general manager. Those cases are few, though.
“Both business-wise and personally, it's been great,” says Antonelli, whose business snuffed out smoking in January. “We were really kind of bracing ourselves for the worst. We were expecting a lot of people to be really upset with it. And to be totally honest, we've gotten nothing but compliments about it.”
The
Chrome Cat in Lansing's
Old Town has been smoke-free since opening in January. The new owners wanted to concentrate on providing food and wine in addition to being a nightclub. Prospective customers cited a well-lit parking lot and a non-smoking environment as two crucial items that would bring them out, says Michelle Taylor, The Chrome Cat's co-owner.
The former bank building's rectangular-shape and high ceiling didn't lend itself to separate smoking and non-smoking areas, either.
“It was sort of all or nothing,” says Taylor, who owns the gay-friendly establishment with Lisa Whitehead. “I think people say, 'Oh that's cool,' and they like the fact. I haven't heard too many people say specifically they came because it was non smoking.”
As an owner, Taylor has noticed the policy's unexpected dividends, such as not finding cigarette burns on fixtures or being greeted by stale air when opening up.
While sipping a pint of lager, patron Kim Fast cites The Chrome Cat's food and overall charm as receiving high marks. The Lansing temporary worker didn't appreciate the place's major selling point until she awoke the next day.
“You're not coughing and you don't have all that congestion in the morning,” says Fast, 35.
Even smokers like Jason Rosum prefer smokeless outlets.
Sans cigarette, the
Michigan State University student was savoring an afternoon libation at Jimmy's Pub.
“I do smoke, but I don't like smoking in enclosed places,” says Rosum, 31, who is a construction management major. “It doesn't really bother me to come into an establishment like this. In fact, I appreciate a place like this as a smoker.”
Rosum adds that he's “not a fan of imposing on others.”
Such consideration doesn't surprise Jimmy Fata, the owner of Jimmy's Pub. He's noticed more health-conscious people and families coming into the Chandler Road public house.
“I think it has elevated the clientèle,” says Fata, whose pub has been smoke free since moving from Frandor two years ago.
“If you advocate for non-smoking, you know what's going on: Twenty percent of people smoke and 80 percent doesn't. Of the 20 percent, 10 percent don't like their own smoke. The other 10 percent are either not going to smoke or go smoke outside.”
Despite catering to an overwhelming number of non-smokers, Fata doesn't believe a statewide ban is needed. Such decisions should be left up to individual bar and restaurant owners, he says.
Those views are echoed by the
Michigan Restaurant Association, which won a 2001 state Appeals Court decision to strike down Marquette's attempt to issue a citywide ban.
A judge's order may differ from those who routinely take customer orders, though. Workers at such establishments appreciate no longer having to wade through carcinogen-causing smog to do their jobs.
“It's just a lot cleaner atmosphere overall,” says Jenn Smith, 28, Jimmy's Pub bartender and manager. “Even the people who smoke don't mind stepping outside. It just makes for a better overall atmosphere.”
At Dalmations' Grill, a staff member ditched cigarettes once the switch took place.
“It gave her the incentive to quit smoking,” Cleaveland says. “I think it just made a difference not smelling during day and then going home.”
From a personal standpoint, Harrison Roadhouse's general manager says the move to non-smoking has also been a boon.
“It's just nice to be able to come home from work and not smell like an ashtray at the end of the day,” Antonelli says. “It's just a healthier environment for me to be in, and for my staff as well.”
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Larry O'Connor is a freelance writer who has written on topics ranging from scooters to frothy brews for Capital Gains.
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of Trumpie Photography.
Photos:
Harrison Roadhouse
Jenn Smith, Jimmy's Pub bartender and manager
The Chrome Cat
Jimmy's Pub
Harrison Roadhouse
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie