posted by Joe Polk at 1:19 PM /
I was sent an email this morning by someone that thought this would be a good topic for discussion on the blog. This person informed me that Bado's Pizza Grill and Ale House has gone "smoke free". Their web site itself says as much and I was able to find out that they've been a smoke-free establishment since October 1 by calling them directly.
I think it's interesting to note this fact because it's the first (that I am personally aware of) restaurant in our town that has decided to draw the line on this issue -- and risk the business of smokers as a result. As we're all aware, this issue has been a hot button issue at the county and state level.
As a non-smoker, I personally applaud this decision because I don't like to be subjected to smoke at restaurants or bars -- but I can only imagine what others think of this issue. So, Blog-Lebo readers...what do you think about Bado's decision? Will it come back to bite them? Or will it generate more business?
I'm going to check with them in a few months and see if they'll tell me if their business has been affected at all by this decision.
I think it's interesting to note this fact because it's the first (that I am personally aware of) restaurant in our town that has decided to draw the line on this issue -- and risk the business of smokers as a result. As we're all aware, this issue has been a hot button issue at the county and state level.
As a non-smoker, I personally applaud this decision because I don't like to be subjected to smoke at restaurants or bars -- but I can only imagine what others think of this issue. So, Blog-Lebo readers...what do you think about Bado's decision? Will it come back to bite them? Or will it generate more business?
I'm going to check with them in a few months and see if they'll tell me if their business has been affected at all by this decision.
5 Comments:
All the more reason to support this local establishment over McBrannigans.
I don't think it'll hurt Bado's at all. My impression of Bado's is that it's mostly a family restaurant, not a hang-out bar. Plenty of room outside for a smoke anyway (and while I support the no smoking indoors, I do think the 15 foot rule is a bit mean-spirited - that part has no basis in employee healthcare, it's just a "nuisance ordinance").
The one place in Mt. Lebanon where smoking does get to me is Atrias. Can't seem to avoid it there at all.
While I do support smoking bans on the basis of employee health, I'll note that there are plenty of mom and pop taverns that will lose business. It's happened in every state so far where bans have been passed. While overall restaurant and bar revenues go up, when analyzed deeper (and states are loathe to be transparent on this issue) it's the lower-income neighborhood joints that take the hit - people who can least afford it.
I used to manage the No. American research division at a global media company. Lots of funny things one can do with stats to paint precisely the picture you want.
Would've been nice had the free market decided all of this on its own instead of requiring government intervention.
Hooray for Bados!
My wife and I just moved back to the Burgh from Austin, TX, where they have strong anti-smoking laws for bars and restaurants, including the 15-foot rule. From the day we got back (as well as every time we visited) we were struck by both the high amount of public smoking here and the silly lip service payed to desires of nonsmokers (e.g. "non-smoking" tables adjacent to smoking tables in restaurants with no barrier of any kind, or smoking allowed inside bars within the "non-smoking" terminal of the airport, with no special ventilation requirements)
We eagerly await a strong smoking law. Hopefully whatever passes won't have been detoothed in an effort to pander to both sides.
ps - Isn't it a little silly for a Lebo business owner to complain about nuisance laws? The nuisance law is the core of the Mt. Lebanon legal philosphy.
Rich --
Bado's did this voluntarily, right? There isn't a no-smoking ordinance in Mt. Lebanon. So why isn't this the free market at work?
Mike
"Running the smoker's gauntlet" is one thing when you're talking about being in the primary entrance of a building.
But many restaurants have outdoor seating in the back (and some in front) where there is no employee health concern, yet most/all tables are within 15 feet of a back or side door - and as the law states, "an entrance", not "the primary entrance", the restaurants will lose the ability to seat smokers in these outdoor seats.
I happen to belive that's wrong.
Our own place has a patio in the back. We have three tables, all are within eight feet of the back door. There are no employees who go there other than to wipe off tables a few times a day. There is no health risk. But the ban as currently written says I can't allow smoking - AND I have to keep going out and checking because if someone gets caught smoking out there, I get fined.
Since there's no way of doing that, I'll have to close my patio.
That's just plain stupid - and mean spirited.
Btw, Mike - Bado's did do it voluntary, but we were talking about the bigger picture of the impending smoking ban.
And Jefferson - I don't know Mt. Lebo's history. I've lived in CT/NY/MA most of my life. All civilized places where a young boy could dream of becoming a president or a wine merchant. Then I moved here four years ago. I guess I could still become president...
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