‘The decisions been made and I’m going to stick to it ? and I hope that we don’t offend too many people,? said Ed Zull, owner of Pete’s Coney Island II on Dixie Highway.
Exactly what decision could be so powerful to concern the longtime Independence business owner and area resident? Making the choice to be a completely smoke free establishment.
On March 1, Pete’s Coney Island II will officially become a smoke free eating environment.
‘I think its been in the works a period of time,? said Zull. ‘I think its inevitable that it’s going to happen in the restaurant business.
‘This was a very hard decision to make. I wanted to be as open as possible. I wanted to make sure I researched all the facts well enough to say I’m confident.?
Pete’s Coney Island II has featured smoke free events for some time ? such as a Toys for Tots wrapping party, Muscular Dystrophy fund-raisers, Clarkston Police Server Nights and Independence Township Fire Department Server Night ? and smoke free Sundays for over a year.
So what triggered the switch? A small comment in the Sound Off column of the Feb. 14 edition of the Oakland Press. The Clarkston resident complained of a great eating establishment, connected to other businesses, that was filled with smoke from the nearby company’s employees.
‘It was like, ‘Wow, that could be us,?? said Zull. ‘After reading a little comment like that, seeing the moms and dads come in with here with their little kids, customers making comments while they’re here ? it was time.?
To research his decision, Zull went on-line to a Web site on smoke free restaurants, looked into views from the Michigan Restaurant Association and reviewed smoking legislation and viewpoints on the State of Michigan Web site.
Adding to his research is Zull’s own background as a previous smoker. He became personally smoke free on Aug. 29, 1981.
‘I’ve always heard reformed smokers are the worst, maybe some are, but I feel I can see both sides of the issue,? said Zull. ‘I’ve tried to be very objective and ask both my smoking and nonsmoking customers their opinions. I’ve had some say they don’t like the idea, and I respect that.?
In addition, Zull did not feel his separation of the smoking and nonsmoking sections was adequate, especially with the size of his restaurant.
Zull said he hopes the move does not affect business, but realizes their will be a drop, at least initially.
‘I think business is going to be fine? we’ll have our low, but it will even out,? he said.
Penny Shanks, director of the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, of which Pete’s Coney is a member, spoke positively on Zull’s decision. She believes the restaurant’s new no smoking policy combines well with the chamber’s ‘Wellness in the Work Place? theme.
‘I’m very excited about it. Making the transition will be hard? but this is something that needs to be done to create a healthy work environment,? said Shanks.
‘What’s difficult about this is when you have loyal customers who are used to smoking while eating, but I think he’s going to pick up a lot of business with this as well,? continued Shanks. ‘Now customers can stop in for a quick breakfast or lunch and not have to worry about going into work or back to work smelling like smoke.?
Shanks said there are other chamber member restaurants who are nonsmoking, but said the chamber does not encourage the companies to become so.
‘Each restaurant needs to evaluate their own business and clientele, but we really do think this is where restaurants are going,? said Shanks.
Pete’s Coney Island II placed ‘Because we care?? signs on the tables notifying the customers of the change for the past month. The restaurant’s new policy takes effect today, March 1.