The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Take It Outside: Dave Lonero sits on a ledge outside Sharky's for a pensive moment. Because of the new state law outlawing smoking in all bars, clubs and taverns, he may not be alone for long.

Avenue businesses start to feel the impact of no-smoking law

But it's too soon to tell how hard new law will hit, local owners say

By Michelle Ku

Smoking has been snuffed out in California bars and restaurants, but will it eventually lead to the demise of Avenue businesses?

Three weeks after the California "no smoking" law went into effect on Jan. 1, local businesses that previously allowed patrons to smoke within their walls were beginning to feel the impact.

While the month of January is traditionally a slow business month compared to December, business is down this year, said Ev Martinez, assistant manager of Plaza Inn.

"We are following the law, and it has affected our business," he said. "We have a lot of customers who are used to having a cigarette in their hands before they have a drink; it's their comfort zone. Compared to last year's numbers, it's affected us probably by 20 percent, but only time will tell. You can't tell after three weeks."

Goosetown Caffe is also feeling the blow to its lounge business. Owner Gary Rovia estimates that business at the lounge is down by about 35 percent. "We find that we are having our same customers come in," he said, "but instead of having two cocktails, they are only having one."

"This place is dead tonight," said Goosetown regular Michael Langhams last Friday night as he took a smoke break outside. "You hit any of the bars down here and it's dead: Plaza, Sharky's."

At Willow Glen Billiards and Brew, it's too soon to tell whether the new law has affected business, said co-owner John Karamanos. He said he would have a better idea of the effect the law is having on his business in a couple weeks, but for now the numbers are inconclusive.

Karamanos is hoping the state will set ventilation standards that bars can meet to retain smoking because of the humidified cigar lockers and elaborate air-filtration system purchased and installed at Billiards and Brew.

"There's, like, three or four bills that are going through to set ventilation standards, but none have been passed yet," Karamanos said.

The air-filtration system is located in the upstairs portion of Billiards and Brew and changes the air in the building once a minute. Karamanos says it's cleaner than the air outside.

"I've been in [Billiards and Brew] before, and the filtration system draws out the smoke so well that you would never know someone is in there smoking," Rovia said.

Since smoking is now prohibited within restaurants, bars and lounges, customers who want to light up a cigarette must now do so outside.

At Plaza, smoking areas outside the building have been set up for the customers who want to indulge.

"We have ashtrays set up outside, and people can go out and take a smoke break," Martinez says. "Typically what you have is five people at the bar, and they decide to take a break. So all five go outside to have a smoke, and then you have an empty bar. It takes away from the ambiance."

Goosetown also has a side entrance set up for customers to go outside for a smoke. "It's kind of an embarrassment when it's cold or raining and people are outside smoking," Rovia said.

Like Plaza and Goosetown, Billiards and Brew has also set up some ashtrays outside for its customers. "We also have signs posted everywhere that you can't smoke," Karamanos said. "Every so often someone will light up, but we just tell them to stop. We tell people you can't smoke, and that's all we can do."

Martinez and Rovia both see the businesses who are not complying with the new law as a problem. Martinez said that business at bars and lounges that allow smoking is up, while business at the establishments complying with the law is down.

"The places that aren't complying with the law are definitely benefiting from the business," Rovia said. "Smokers are going to go where they can smoke."

While the new law has affected his business, Rovia sees a possible benefit to the law. "This might even draw in people who are drawn by the 'no smoking' environment," he says. "But only time will tell."

Fran Crozier, owner of Sharky's, the other Willow Glen bar which allowed smoking, declined to comment on how the law is affecting her business.

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