Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a multi-part series examining the effects of the smoking ban on local businesses

DeKALB | Only two weeks into DeKalb’s smoking ban, at least one area business is feeling the effects.

The Junction Eating Place, 816 W. Lincoln Highway, previously one of DeKalb’s quintessential smoking spots, has been hit hard, some employees say.

After taking effect Sept. 1, the ordinance banned smoking in all indoor public locations except for Class A bars.

“We’ve lost a lot of business and our bar rush,” said Junction waitress Ashley Emrick, 22. “We stay open an hour later than the bars close to get customers. We don’t get that anymore.”

Waitress Anea Sampson, 37, has found the ban hurtful to the eatery and a violation of rights.

“We’ve lost business because of the ban; I’m against it,” Sampson said. “I think it’s unfair to owners of buildings that they can’t smoke in their own buildings.”

Chris Bahramis, assistant manager of the Junction, has noticed a fluctuation in customers who come in.

“Lunch has gotten slower, but dinner has gotten better,” Bahramis said. “Hopefully it will even out.”

Patrons of the Junction have had mixed reactions to the smoking ban.

“I don’t like it,” said DeKalb resident Bud Beyer, 66. “I think it’s a way of taking away a person’s rights. Life is about choices and it’s one of those choices they’ve taken away.”

Garrett Wood, a sophomore undeclared major and Junction patron, objects to the ban because of its effect on business.

“I severely dislike the smoking ban and I don’t think the city realizes the negative effects of it,” Wood said. “A lot of businesses have been hurt by it already. Here at the Junction, waitresses have said they’ve lost business at night because people used to come here just to smoke.”

Another customer found the smoke-free restaurant an improvement.

“I like it a lot more now,” said senior theater major Jason Lorenzo. “I don’t have to deal with the drifting smoke from the smoking side now.”

Alan Edrinn is an energy beat reporter for the Northern Star.