More local restaurants go smoke-free

WILMINGTON — More and more restaurants in our area are going smoke-free, but there’s a lot more to it than putting up a no smoking sign.

Thursday was the second smoke-free day for the Original Salt Works restaurant on Oleander Drive. In order to make the transition owner Bob Hubbard had to close down for two weeks. He resurfaced the floor, replaced the tables, chairs, ceiling and ventilation system.

Hubbard said, “The smoke from the cigarettes, you know, it just tears the place up. And to get it fresh, you know, you have to redo all that stuff.”

Despite the cost Hubbard says he has no regrets. He projects it will help his business in the long run.