Delaware County bar owners say business down since smoking ban

Local tavern owners on Monday testified they've lost business -- and one is likely to close this week -- as a result of the enhanced smoking ordinance enacted by Delaware County officials in August.

The testimony came during a nearly three-hour hearing before Delaware Circuit Court 1 Judge Marianne Vorhees, who is considering a request for a temporary injunction against the ordinance, which prohibits smoking in bars and fraternal organizations. County commissioners said they hoped to protect employees and other patrons from the hazards of secondhand smoke.

The request for the temporary injunction stems from a lawsuit, aimed at overturning the measure, by the Delaware County Licensed Beverage Association, four local fraternal organizations and a tobacco shop. The suit was filed Aug. 31 by attorney Bruce Munson, who called several of his clients to the stand on Monday.

Lewis Coulter, county president of the DCLBA and owner of two Muncie taverns, said business, and his profits, were down significantly since the ordinance went into effect on Aug. 12.

"Some of the familiar faces you don't see nearly as often," said Coulter, who owns the Red Dog Saloon, 1600 W. 23rd St., and the End Zone Sports Bar, 2430 W. Kilgore Ave.

Coulter said the Red Dog used to sell about $300 in food to bar patrons on Monday evenings. On a recent Monday night, that total was down to $60, he said.

Danyelle Cross, co-owner of Timbers Lounge, 2770 W. Kilgore Ave., said her "lunch crowd is probably half, if that" since the smoking ban went into effect. As a result, the westside bar now has two fewer employees.

The day before the ban went into effect, "we had customers tell us, 'It was nice knowing you,'" Cross recalled.

Dan Hill, who recently bought the Triangle Saloon, 1634 Kirby Ave., said that "99 percent" of his customers were military veterans who smoke, and "since they can't smoke, they're not coming in."

As a result, his tavern sees about 15 customers per day as opposed to a previous average of 60, and "Friday will probably be my last day," Hill said.