Artful Dodger goes smoke-free
Brent Finnegan -- April 2nd, 2007
There has been a lot of news lately about Tim Kaine’s amendment to ban smoking in Virginia restaurants. It’s expected to pass in the Senate, so it’s up to the House in Richmond this week whether or not Virginia becomes the 22nd state in the nation to ban smoking in restaurants. The word is that the vote will be very tight, and could go either way.
Chris Clark, operations manager at the Artful Dodger said they’re preemptively banning smoking at the Dodger, regardless of what the House Republicans do. This is something they’ve been planning to do for a while, and this seemed like an appropriate time to make the switch. Effective this week, if you want to smoke at the Dodger, you’ll have to go out to the covered porch area to do it. The Artful Dodger joins Tini’s, the Joshua Wilton House, and the Little Grill Collective as a local smoke-free establishment that serves alcohol (if I’m missing others, please list them in the comments).
Most bar employees I’ve talked to are excited about the idea of not reeking like an ashtray every time they come home from work. Employee health is a big factor in this debate. Currently, bartenders and wait staff inhale never-ending clouds of smoke at their workplace whether they want to or not.
I’ve posted about this topic before, but I always thought a ban on public smoking in Virginia would come toward the end of my lifetime, since Virginia is a southern state famous for its tobacco. But it’s starting to look like that day is very close at hand. Polls show that the vast majority of Virginians support a ban.
According to ABC law, there is technically no such thing as a bar in Virginia. What we refer to as bars in H’burg are actually restaurants, since they have to sell a certain amount of food to keep their ABC license. So the smoking ban in restaurants means a smoking ban in bars, too.
Bob Evans in Harrisonburg goes smoke free April 9th according to a sign on their door.
When you think about it, all the fast food places have been smoke free for a long time. So there’s got to be a free market reason. This can only help the Dodger’s lunchtime business at least. I’ll be more likely to start frequenting the place again. In the last number of years that place has always smelled like a hard core bar even in the daytime. And if you haven’t been a non-smoker working in an environment like that you have no idea what it’s like.
As we wait for final approval to recieve our ABC “ON” license, I would like to let everyone here know that Kitchen Classics Restaurant, 498 D University Blvd, has been smoke free since we opened May 16, last year.
The thing that drives me nuts is a when a store like 7-11 that bans smoking inside, but allows its employees to stand right outside the door and smoke. But, hey if I don’t like it, I’ll shop elsewhere.
Peace out!
I normally don’t care how smoky a bar is, but the last time I was in the Dodger, my eyes were stinging from all the smoke. I’m glad to hear this.
Isn’t the Artful Dodger a gay bar?
Isn’t republitarian a racist website?
I second that, finnegan!
And in response to the smoking ban. I think that is fantastic. I love the Dodger, but avoid it when I need to go somewhere else later that day because of the way I smell after I leave. Good move Chris!
I love it that more businesses are taking it upon themselves to make this wise choice.
Agreed, writergirl. I’m torn on the issue of a government-mandated ban, but when business owners like Chris, Frank, the LGC and others make the move in the interest of their employees’ and customers’ good health (even though it could potentially be a risky business decision) I think it speaks volumes about the MO of management.
A government ban on smoking in restaurants is questionable, but at the same time it takes the burden off the business owner. Restaurant A wants to ban smoking, but that would alienate 23 percent of his customers, while Restaurant B, a little bit seedier place down the street, is ready to pick up the rejected trade. But if Richmond says nobody can smoke anywhere, Restaurant A gets its ban without losing anything. Restaurant A doesn’t even have to do anything, except not complain to the Assembly, which will be pandering to the 77 percent who don’t smoke. Do the restaurateurs have a lobby and did the lobbying group complain loudly? If not, it’s probably a sign that they don’t mind the government making this business decision for them, and taking the heat from the 23 percent who, statistically, are less likely to vote.
JGFitzgerald has hit the nail on the head. Although it’s understood, business owners need to understand it’s the service that sells, not whether you can smoke in an establishment or not. I don’t think this will have any effect on the overhead at AD. It’s just a shame Daves’ has not followed suit; talk about a smoke factory….
Ok being a non-smoker i hope this passes b/c i cannot stand cigarettes or their smell
Can’t say I have a strong opinion on this, because I can see two sides to the coin. Only huge plus for me is that if all the “bars” go non-smoking, Midtowne Market will be the only choice for purchasing the cigarettes that you’ll have to smoke on the sidewalk.
On a side note, would the Taratsa qualify since it is outdoors?
I would assume the Taratsa would be a smoking area since one can still smoke in the covered porch area of the Artful Dodger.
It’s going to be so full if the bill passes.
Smoking Ban is Defeated in the House 40 – 59
So that’s the tally:
Virginian citizens: 71 percent in favor of the ban
House delegates: 59 percent opposed
Anything wrong with these numbers?
Time to clear the room of all the “smoke screens”.
Amazing
I’ve been going to the Dodger for awhile, and personally, I think it’s a great step in making the Dodger smoke free, although I do know quite a few people who are not so happy about it. The Dodger has always been a place where people go to unwind. It is also known for it’s artsy feel. I think it’s a wonderful step, and it will make the Dodger a much more friendly/attractive place.
Peace
My clothes didn’t smell like an ashtray this morning. Cheers to the new policy!
I would prefer that the Government allow establishments to make their own decision on whether or not they are “smoke free”, and allow patrons to decide where they decide to take their business.
There are enough smokers in this world that they should have their “lifestyle choice” respected. That’s just my opinion, though.
I remember when I used to be a frequent patron of Harrisonburg-area bars and restaurants, there were a lot of smokers at the Artful Dodger. I’ve conversed with Chris Clark a few times before (he’s not a hard guy to find), and I knew he’d go this route eventually. His restaurant, his choice.
When the Dodger went smokeless, all the patrons had to go out to the “porch” area in front to light up. But because the porch area wasn’t ABC approved, smokers had to leave their drinks inside.
I’ve heard mixed things about it: some think it hurt business, others thought it stayed the same.
Word is that the owners now have the ABC permit to have drinking in the roped-off portion outside by the sidewalk. Starting tonight, smokers can also drink outside.
Thanks for the update, Finnegan. I’m not a smoker, but I do like the outdoor area of the Dodger and have always lamented the fact that I can’t enjoy my brew out there. Is it a big enough area for non-smokers to enjoy as well? Hopefully we’ll have a few more warm nights before fall really kicks in so I can take advantage.