Rayme's to become Wrangell's first non-smoking bar

Local bar patrons might have to go a bit further to get that nicotine fix on the weekends.

Rayme’s Bar plans to be non-smoking as of Jan. 1, and that means Rayme’s will become the first dedicated bar without smoking in Wrangell. The Stikine Inn’s dining room and lounge also contains a bar, which has been smoke-free for years, but the other mainstay alcohol establishments will remain smoker friendly for the time being.

The switchover means another haven lost for the tobacco cloud crowd, though bar owner Sam “Reme” Privett III says he’s simply changing his bar to reflect contemporary tastes.

“Most people that come to a bar anymore, it’s not the norm to smoke, like it used to be back in the old days,” he said. “More of the younger crowd, they don’t smoke. I’m hoping that maybe I’ll draw a newer crowd, some people who do smoke and don’t smoke.”

Non-smoking bars are a growing trend in the United States. Petersburg bars have been smoke-free by local ordinance for several years, though the vast majority of Ketchikan bars still allow cigarettes alongside cocktails. Twenty-five states have enacted indoor smoking bans in restaurants and bars, according to figures collected by the American Non-Smokers’ Rights Foundation web site.

Other local taverns said they would remain smoker-friendly.

Privett projects business will go up after the butts go out, but said the proof will be in the next couple months.

“We’re gonna give it a try,” he said. “I’m hoping it works. I’m not a smoker, and I have more people ask if I’m non-smoking than ask if I’m smoking.”

Rayme’s announced the change via advertisement in the Dec. 26 edition of the Wrangell Sentinel.