Valley restaurant adapts to accommodate smokers post-ban
By: Sydney Benter
Updated: August 9, 2012
It's been over a month since Indiana's smoking ban went into effect.
In that time, one Valley business has adapted to accommodate customers.
The owners of a Terre Haute restaurant say the smoking ban has created an opportunity for expansion.
"The idea of people having to go outside to smoke a cigarette kind of bugged me, so I thought if we can make a nice place for people to go outside and smoke and have a good time then maybe they'll want to come back more often," says Ken Hess, owner of The Cabin.
Hess did just that and now provides his smoking customers with an outdoor patio where customers can smoke and have a good time.
"It's very nice, it's the coolest beer garden in Terre Haute I think," says Teresa Bennett.
Hess says he hasn't seen an increase of customers, but he hasn't lost any customers either.
"I think a lot of smokers have gotten the message that they're not wanted, and that's completely not true here."
"It's great because we can come out here and everyone knows each other. It's like cheers," says patron Sheila Westra.
Hess says the addition seems to be a good investment. "I think in the long run it will be, but I think having a space like that is a good idea."
"I don't go to the bars that don't have the beer gardens because I'm a smoker, and here it's great. There are fans to keep cool. The atmosphere is great," says Bennett.
"Things change all the time and if you're not constantly trying to stay ahead of that you could suffer," says Hess.
