When Maine forced the restaurants to go smoke free in 1999, we didn't go back. We found bars/taverns that sell food and beverages and had smoking sections.
Now, in January, with the total ban coming for the bars/taverns in Maine, my very favorite Tavern in all the world, The Par and Grill will be gone from me as well.
It used to be Pat's Pizza. When they were forced to go smoke free, it was within one year, they were real close to closing their doors.
The owner then bought a very expensive liquor license in order to open it up to smoking again. The business was saved. Pat's Pizza was bought out by new owners, remodeled, big smoke eaters installed, glass enclosed non-smoking section........and they will be forced to go smoke free again. But you can bet your boots that Maine will never reimburse the Par and Grill for the big smoke eaters and all the renovation they did to accompany everyone.
I know what you mean.
Before we moved there were a few non-smoking, by the owner's choice, restaurants that we occassionaly patronized. but when the whiners in the legislature forced every place to go that way we didn't even bother with them any more.
The grocers and local liquor stores may have seen an increase in business, but not enough to offset the losses from the bars and restaurants in terms of employing the bar and wait staffs that have lost their jobs. and are now unable to continue contributing at the same level to the local economy.