Heading into a new year in which district businesses are being ordered to go smoke-free by the Northwestern Health Unit, one local establishment that’s had a sneak peek as to what impact that can have has been Robin’s Donuts.
“It’s been interesting,” said Guy Donaldson, co-owner with his wife, Kelly Spicer, who decided to ban smoking at their downtown location for a trial period this past May through November.
“They say it traditionally takes a while for business to bounce back after going smoke-free. I thought we’d be back to the pre-smoking ban sales by now,” he noted.
“To say it hasn’t impacted our business wouldn’t be true,” he added.
While sales in the summer were “good,” said Donaldson, the winter might prove tougher as pedestrian traffic slows down. He also noted people often came to Robin’s on winter evenings to enjoy cigarettes over coffee or hot chocolate.
“We’re just learning from it. It’s a learning curve,” he remarked, though adding he and his wife have decided to keep it a non-smoking establishment despite the dip in business.
One of the biggest impacts, said Donaldson, has been on how long to stay open during the winter months (he’s closed early several times already recently).
The other has been on their Robin’s Express outlet in the west end, where customers may have previously gone to get baked goods in a smokeless environment and now may be taking their business to the downtown location.
Donaldson said the decision to ban smoking at what had been a hangout for many smokers in the mornings, evenings, or while people were on their coffee breaks was a mix of personal choice, the looming trend to force businesses to do so by agencies such as the Northwestern Health Unit, and as preparation for a future where all Robin’s outlets likely will have to go smoke-free.
But one of the benefits, besides being considerate of people’s health, was that it set an example followed by many restaurants in both the downtown and west end.
“We were extremely pleased to see other people kind of follow us. It’s a tough decision to make,” he remarked.
“Personally speaking, at this point we’re ready to make a long-term commitment to the town—to make a decision to have a healthy environment for the customer,” said Donaldson.
But he also conceded that may not be so easy to do, for example, for a business owner who was getting ready to retire, relying on a steady, regular income for one last year.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
