Chuck's Donut Shop, Denver: After 44 Years We Went Smoke-free & Gained New Customers

We would like to see a Denver smoke-free restaurant ordinance.

We purchased Chuck's Donut Shop eleven years ago, after 44 years as a business that allowed smoking. After three months of breathing a dozen packs of other peoples’ cigarettes per day, and having people turned back from the cloud of smoke that billowed from the restaurant, we went smoke-free.

We lost a couple of customers (who were only spending 75 cents on a cup of coffee while smoking several cigarettes), and acquired many more, including several families who spend much more.

We discovered some other benefits as well:

• Our walls and windows require much less cleaning.

• Picking up cigarette butts and cleaning ashtrays are a waste of time.

• It is healthier – it was hurting customers and workers alike to breathe other’s smoke.

• It is more natural to have your first cup of coffee without being bombarded with smoke.

Chuck Svoboda, Manager

for Dan Imo, Owner

Chuck's Donut Shop, Denver

614 East Kentucky Ave, 80209, (303)722-6779