Fairmont bar set to disallow smoking

Magic's Bar and Grill in Fairmont has several unique attributes from its drinks, entertainment and food. It also allows smoking, something few establishments still permit.

That will soon change.

Bob Boyer, the owner of Magic's, made a post on Facebook asking for feedback from the community:

"How many people would still come to Magic's if it was non-smoking and how many new people would come?"

The response was overwhelming. Dozens said they would come to the bar if it didn't allow smoking.

"I wasn't surprised at the response, but the number of people that responded was very large," bartender Tammy Wells said.

It prompted Boyer's decision to disallow smoking inside Magic's as of July 1.

"I'm just need a change," Boyer said. "I'm trying to better my business."

Marion County Clean Indoor Air regulations do not prohibit smoking in free-standing bars. 33 counties in the state have bans on indoor smoking altogether, but Marion does not. All of its surrounding counties are included on that list. Its smoking policy often attracted visitors from outside Marion County. Not all regular smokers were fans of the decision.

"It's a double edge sword," Wells said. "You can't make everybody happy. There's a lot of people used to coming in here and sitting to have a cigarette with a cocktail or after they're done eating."

The change won't come easily for Boyer and some of the regulars, but the ultimate goal is to attract more business.

"I smoke myself, so it's going to be hard for me also," Boyer said. "But I'm willing to change and make changes."

They're changes he hopes will work like magic.