What Do Bar And Restaurant Owners Think?
After one year it’s clear Wisconsin businesses have successfully adapted to their new smoke-free environment
→ "The ban hasn't hurt business at all," said Derek Stamates, a manager at Tracks Tavern and Grille in
Riverwest. "We've seen more families with kids coming in. It didn't drive anyone away."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 4, 2011
→ "We track our sales daily, and in comparison to last year we are up and we think part of that may have
something to do with the smoking ban," says Rick Rotzoll, owner of Rick's 45 Roadhouse in Antigo.
WSAW-TV, July 13, 2011
→ "It's healthier now for me and my staff," said Michael Charles, manager of Beer Belly's restaurant at S. 5th
St. and W. Layton Ave. "When you go home you don't reek like cigarettes anymore - I like that.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 4, 2011
→ Andrew Brye, manager of The Arterial said, "I felt my rights were infringed upon by the government to
choose what we may or may not do in our building, which we pay the taxes on. As the days and weeks
rolled by and the change occurred, folks, customers, friends and family got used to it. I'm an enormous
proponent of it now."
WKBT-TV La Crosse, July 5, 2011
→ "A lot of people are back and they say they're back, because we are smoke free. My business has seen at
least a 20% increase since that law has been passed," says Danielle Baerwald, owner of Erv’s Mug.
Fox 6 Milwaukee, June 30, 2011
→ "We did think it would impact business, but I didn't see the impact we assumed would happen," said Kyle
Danielski, kitchen manager at Sidelines Sports Bar & Grill in the Town of Menasha. "Generally, our
business has virtually stayed the same since the smoking ban went into effect. If anything, the economy and
people losing their jobs will affect us more than the smoking ban."
Appleton Post Crescent, July 5, 2011
What Do Bar And Restaurant Owners Think?
After one year it’s clear Wisconsin businesses have successfully adapted to their new smoke-free environment
→ "Sales have been steady, even in the tough economy," said Judi Malone, who sold Tailgates in November
and is enjoying her newly smoke-free work environment at Happy Hollow. "I am very happy that the health
of my employees is not going to be put at risk just because they work at the Happy Hollow," Malone said.
Eau Claire Leader Telegram, July 2, 2011
→ "When people were able to smoke here, I didn't have my kids come in, but now they come in all the time,"
he said. "Looking back, it was one of the greatest days of my life and my employees' lives when the
smoking ban went into effect." Brad Windeshausen, owner of Whiskeys Grill and Bar in Altoona
Eau Claire Leader Telegram, July 2, 2011
→ "It was greatest thing we ever did," said John Weirnrich owner of New Port Shores. "Bar sales went up."
Patch.com Port Washington, July 5, 2011
→ “It’s been outstanding. The ban was excellent. I know it hurt some of the smaller places, but for me in our
business, it actually increased the traffic,” said Krueger’s Entertainment Center owner Dave Krueger.
Patch.com, Menomonee Falls, July, 5, 2011
→ In downtown Wausau at Intermission bar, owner Jim Kruesel said sales are as good this July as they were
last summer, when the ban became law. Intermission never saw a decline, which could be because the bar
regularly offers live music, he said. "One point I must make is all the people who say they weren't coming in
because it was too smoky -- that's not happening. It's still all my regulars," he said.
Wausau Daily Herald, July 5, 2011
→ Sharen Hoskins, owner of East Point Sportz Pub, said the new law has been “fairly positive” for her
business. As president of the Rock County Tavern League, Hoskins knows some businesses are not happy
with the smoking restriction. “In general, the majority of the tavern league members are opposed to this.
There are tavern owners still upset due to the clientele they have lost and the strictness of the law,’’ she said.
“We didn’t want it but are over it. It happened, and we follow the law.’’
Janesville Gazette, July 5, 2011
What Do Bar And Restaurant Owners Think?
After one year it’s clear Wisconsin businesses have successfully adapted to their new smoke-free environment
→ One year ago Slims Lake Hallie Tavern owner Barb Kunsta was afraid of what the smoking ban would do to
business. “Really I was just dreading the smoking ban, because there are so many people who smoke and
they have rights too,” she tells us. And she says at least at first, her fears came true,” I would say the first
three months things really slowed down, and then ya know, I think people started accepting it,” she explains.
WEAU-TV, Eau Claire, July 5, 2011