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· Dining/Entertainment
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· North Carolina
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Restaurants, bars say transition has been pretty easy
Jump to full article: Winston-Salem (NC) Journal, 2010-02-02
Author: Richard Craver * Journal Reporter
Intro: The first month of a statewide smoking ban in restaurants and bars has been pretty much a nonevent, local business operators said yesterday.
Most longtime customers who smoke have either adapted to the restrictions, which went into effect Jan. 2, or chosen to brave the cold weather before or after a meal, the operators say.
On the other hand, the operators say they haven't seen a sizable uptick in business from nonsmokers either, although that could be weather-related as well.
"We may be turning the tables around more quickly since the ban went into place," said Steven Hondos, the owner of the Jimmy the Greek restaurant off University Parkway. The restaurant was successful for years in striking a balance between smokers and nonsmokers.
"The people who smoke, who love our food, are still coming in. They understand this was not our decision, so I haven't sensed any kind of backlash against us.
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