Year of smoking ban hurts some dining establishments, helps others

While bars and casinos around the state believed the statewide smoking ban hurt business during its first year, some local establishments didn't feel as much pain in the cash register. "It's not been too bad considering the way the economy is," said Cindy Sizemore, owner of Teddy's Sports and Grill in Herrin. "During the weeks it seems the smoking law hurt us more, but on the weekends we're still holding our own." A beer garden offered smoking clientele a chance to step out and still enjoy the establishment. "I think the ones who don't smoke enjoy being in a smoke-free atmosphere and it's an outlet where people can go outside and be fairly comfortable," Sizemore said. John Brown, owner of John Brown's On the Square in Marion, said the legal and economic double-whammy didn't impact his business this year.