Smitty's & Border Bar Story

March 6th 2008
My name is Stacy Irwin. My husband ( Kevin Irwin) and I own and operate two bars in Minnesota.
They are Smitty's Bar-n-Grill in Chisago City MN, and The Border Bar-n-Grill in Taylors Falls, MN.

The Border Bar Smoking ban story:


The Border Bar-n-Grill is located just a "stones throw" from the Wisconsin border. Some people come into this bar and are not even sure if they are in Minnesota or Wisconsin. We have watched many people walk out when they realize they cannot smoke, and then realize how close they are to the smoking bars across the river. Some look sheepish and apologize when they leave without making any purchases, and some just walk right out. We hear time and time again how unfair people think this is. Our sales are down over 40% since the smoking ban went into effect. We have a beautiful, empty bar-
The bars across the river are busier than they have ever been. Several have gone on record saying how impressed they are at how good their businesses are doing. We take great pride in our businesses. Our bar has excellent burgers, a clean and friendly enviroment and many great specials. We have had to just sit back and watch while these Wisconsin bars have been "GIVEN" much of our business over a goverment passed law.
They don't even have to compete with us anymore. If they want to, they can raise their prices, have dirty bars, and serve "ok" food and just be handed over customers. Is this the American way? We have went into some of the neighboring Wisconsin bars and seen many of our customers sitting at the bar, smoking and drinking. They all say the same thing. "We want to smoke when we go to bar. Sorry". The non-smokers are gone too. They walk into an empty bar, see that nothing is going on, and then cross the river to go to the bars where the people and fun are. They are NOT sitting in empty bars enjoying the smoke-free enivorment!

The Smittys' Bar Smoking ban story.

Smitty's Bar-n-Grill

Our sales are down 20% since the smoking ban went into effect. Our bartenders have seen a decrease in the amount of tips that they are used to getting. Many customers will stop in to say hello, stay for a quick drink, and then go home or to a friends house, where they can enjoy a beer and cigarette. We added a very costly outdoor smoking patio, but with the harshness of Minnesota winters, people do not want to stand outside in the cold. This bar has been in business for over 40 years and has been a "Cheers" type bar. Blue collar workers come in after work to relax with friends and enjoy themselves. The smoking ban has made the whole atmosphere different. Soda Pop drinkers come in to eat and then they leave. Big money there- This is not what the basis of this bar has ever been. Many non-smokers have complained to us about the negative effects this ban has had on the bar.
A nail salon in the mall smells more toxic to most of these guys, and yet you can go to any mall in Minnesota and see a woman with her children in tow, getting fake nails put on. What about those nasty fumes and chemicals>? What about the employees working there, with their hands in toxins all day long? The consensus is this- Put a sign on the door saying something like this- "SMOKING IS ALLOWED HERE". "No One Under 18 ALLOWED". "Enter at your own risk". The bottom line is that it should be our choice! If other bars want to remain smoke free, good for them! It gives people choice! It is a great thing. Let us make this decision based on our own personal sales.
In closing I want to say that we are doing "Theater Night" at both of our bars. We have certain times that we are doing it, and we are impressed at how responsive our customers have been to it. Our sales have shown that the majority of our customers prefer to smoke while they are in the bar, or don't mind to be in a bar that has smoke. We have set times that we are not doing it, to cater to the non-smokers that are there on more of an "eating" basis. We feel that we should be able to make our own, "Smoking" and "Non-Smoking" times, based on our customers and our personal sales. Thanks for taking the time to listen. Sincerely,
Kevin and Stacy Irwin