To start May's first Thursday in Downtown Muncie, Doc's Music Hall owner Mike Martin hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and officially declared Doc's a non-smoking venue.
The bar went non-smoking the first week of May after Martin decided to make some changes that would be "good for people."
Martin said he had thought about changing his bar to non-smoking some time ago but actually started working on making the change a few months ago. He said he thought it was not fair for people that don't smoke to be exposed to the high amount of smoke that was usually in the bar.
"I think it's going to be good for people," he said. "There are some people that go out from work, they are tired and want to hang out in the bar for a while, but it's not healthy for them to be exposed to smoke like that."
Nancy Buchert, director of events and marketing for the Muncie Chamber of Commerce, was invited to do the ribbon cutting by Martin. She said she was glad to see the bar change to non-smoking.
"I think it's a positive step for this bar and for downtown entertainment to be non-smoking," she said. "Doc's has good music and good space outside, but some people don't go in just because they don't want to be exposed to the smoke."
Views about the bar going non-smoking are divided among the customers. However, Martin said he thought a majority was "happy about the change."
Bar-goers had mixed views about the recent change to Doc's.
Wynn Jones, a Ball State alumnus, was at the ribbon cutting. He said that although he was not a smoker, he didn't mind the change.
"It doesn't really matter to me," he said. "I don't smoke, and I don't mind smoke either."
A Muncie resident who wished to remain anonymous said she did not like the idea so much.
"I like being able to sit and smoke," she said. "I don't really like having to go out just to smoke."
Doc's Music Hall is one of many bars located in downtown Muncie, but it is one of the few that has changed to become non-smoking.
Other bars such as the Fickle Peach, Savage's Ale House and the Heorot still allow smoking inside. Sandy Savage, manager of Savage's Ale House, said changing the restaurant-bar to non-smoking is not something the owner is considering.
"From the beginning, we wanted for smoking to be allowed in the restaurant," she said. "I think it appeals to our clientele, so we are not considering changing at all."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
