Tobacco.org

Smoking ban has mixed effects on city 

In Shell Lake, some places had gone smoke-free before the ban went into effect. Thru the Woods Café  became nonsmoking a few years ago. The Lakeview Bar & Grill recently reopened, as a smoke-free establishment.

Other downtown bars reported seeing fewer customers when the ban initially went into effect. Shannon Klopp, owner of Klopp's 5th Avenue Bar, said that the first couple of weeks were slow for patrons, and many weren't staying out as long, but it has picked up again.

"It's slowly starting to get back up there," she said.

Klopp's now sells E-cigarettes and refills, and she said they hope to build a smoking area. Smoking areas must have open sides, according to the law.

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