New smoke-free law to start today

Friday, January 2, 2009
Donald Allison

Bars build patios for tobacco smokers

In order to comply with a new law that prohibits smoking in bars, restaurants and fraternal clubs, a few businesses in Seaside are creating outdoor smoking areas to accommodate their clientele who like to light up.Creekside Pizzeria Restaurant & Lounge Owner Bill Ayottee said he would build an outdoor patio overlooking Neawanna Creek to accommodate smokers after Jan. 1.“We haven’t done it yet, but we will have a patio smoking area outside, and it will be covered,” Ayottee said. “We will have something rigged up for them out there… We will probably just extend the deck and put a little cover on it. That’s the plan.”Ayottee said because he is getting ready to remodel the exterior of his business, he has held off on building the smoking area to see how it will incorporate into the remodel. Ideally, Ayottee said he would extend the deck to the river for the new smoking area.“If not, we might put something up temporarily until we get it done,” he said. “We will definitely have something to take care of them.He added that he is glad that the no-smoking law starts today....read more