Smoke-free Dining Testimonials

Smoke-Free Restaurants:

"It's good business practice to have a smoke-free facility. We're enjoying excellent business in all three of our Des Moines locations and are glad that we are smoke-free."

-Verlene Vanderpool, Franchisee Owner, Noodle Zoo Restaurants

"We've always been smoke-free, since we opened. We rarely have a person that gets upset that they can't smoke. We provide a clean family environment for our patrons and I'm sure that we get additional business due to the fact that we don't allow smoking." -Ric Silvestrini, Owner, Silvestrini's Pizza

"We allowed smoking the first few years that we were open, and decided to go smoke-free to improve the air quality and atmosphere. At first, we experienced a dip in business, but turned the corner quickly and now financially things are better than before (we allowed smoking)." -Cyndi Coppola, Owner, Java Joes Coffee Bar

Smoke-Free Bars:

"We didn't want to work in a place that was going to be smoky all the time. We also decided that we were going to show art, and smoke would trash a piece of art. But really, it's a matter of principal for us. We don't want to run a business where people are allowed to put toxins in the air. Regarding indoor air quality, it's crazy that we allow ourselves to be in smoky bars. If smoking weren't socially acceptable in bars, it would be completely legislated against. We can guarantee people one thing: If you come in for a few hours, have a few drinks, and leave... it will have been a more pleasant experience than going to a smoky bar somewhere up the street."

-Amedeo Rossi, Owner, The Lift
    Food and Beverage Administrator, The Vaudeville Mews

"The first reason for smoke-free at The Mews is that our bar partners have a smoke-free bar, The Lift, where they display art for sale. Smoke fouls the paintings. Also, at both The Lift and The Mews we have live music, a lot of it, and musicians (and patrons) don't like to smell like an ashtray after they spend a night with us. The musicians appreciate being able to suck in real air (not nicotine and tar) when they sing. People who want to smoke go outside and do it. No problem."

-Frank Burnette, Legal Advisor, The Vaudeville Mews

"The Vaudeville Mews is helping set a standard as the second smoke-free bar in Des Moines. The non-smoking status allows audiences to enjoy the shows in a healthier, cleaner atmosphere." -Kimberly Busbee, Entertainment Programmer, The Vaudeville Mews