A restaurant that opened up last year in Sheboygan, WI, called the “Highland House” (some refer to it as a big, pink pimple), made their free choice to be smoke free. Okay, that much is fine and everyone should respect their choice; however, they couldn’t leave it at that…
From the Sheboygan Press:
Got a light? Not in these local restaurants
July 24, 2007 ID: shb41646474
There’s a new sign of the times inside the new Highland House restaurant in Sheboygan: “If you are smoking in here, you’d better be on fire.” The Highland House is among a growing number of bars and restaurants in Sheboygan County that have chosen to be smoke-free establishments. Smoking is banned inside the restaurant, the bar and the outdoor patio seating area.
Respect for freedom of choice has to go both ways. Shame on them.
Filed under: Wisconsin Ban, anti insanity, reality check
What if we put a little barge in the river?
I haven’t been to this place yet and really am not at all interested in going, so I asked a couple friends who have tried it and here’s what they said:
“I didn’t much care for HH, over crowded bar area that spills over into the dining area`s detracts from a family dinner as does the noise level anywhere inside the building.
Three times we tried HH and all three the same pack-em in like cattle atmosphere prevailed along with noise level so loud it makes the chicken dance sound like Mozart.
Apologies for the slightly off-topic rant but is there anyplace within 10 miles of Sheboygan a family with 4 children, 2-17 can go in order to get a decent sit down meal without the noise or red eyed drunks tripping over your child’s booster chair for under $175? “
“Why would I pay 8 dollars for a hamburger at Highland House when I can pay 2 dollars for a
hamburger across the street at Four Of A Kind? Same thing with tacos, burritos and enchilada’s. El Caminos on Michigan Avenue has low prices for those menu items as does Jalisco’s on Calumet Drive.”
Love that first informal “Review” – drunks and loud noise is okay. I guess there’s no dangers associated with drinking, according to the almighty smoke-free Highland House then? Please.
Thanks for the post, Jeni. Although I have to say that I’m impressed with the fact that the Highland House decided to go smoke-free on their own rather than crying for a statewide ban so that their smoking patrons won’t give them a hard time about it. Apparently they are looking to draw a non-smoking crowd, and if it works and they make money, they made a good business decision. If it doesn’t work and they lose patrons, it was the wrong choice.
As we always say here at Ban the Ban: Let the market work. Smoking bans are unnecessary, frivalous legislation because the market will always respond to the demand. If enough non-smokers demand non-smoking establishments, the market will respond to them.
I totally and whole-heartedly respect their choice. I disrespect their condescending approach.
I also have concerns with the rowdy drinking problems the city is having now, in this neck of the woods, because smokers are banished outside. They don’t seem to care much about that nor are they taking any measures to help those issues “for the good of the public”. IMHO it’s a bit hypocritical.