A local restaurant owner says she's refusing to go smoke free, even though state law is about to require her to do so.
Judy Maxi runs Caddy's, a restaurant lounge in Midlothian.
She says smoking has been part of the culture there for 25 years, and until she gets the money to add a non-smoking section, it's not about to change any time soon.
"The governor does not pay my bills. In fact, I pay his bills and his paycheck", says Maxi.
Maxi says 95% of her customers smoke. She's got seven ventilation units throughout the bar, and believes that should be enough for now.
Besides, it's a lounge, she says, a place where people come to unwind around 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., listen to music, have a drink and smoke.
"I want to be one of the restaurants that people can come into and still smoke and have a good time and not have to worry about it", says Maxi
And she's anything but worried about breaking the law.
"I don't consider it breaking the law. This is my business. It's private owned. It's in my name and it's not in the state's name.... I mean, a $25 fine is nothing compared to what I'm losing in sales. I've even had customers who offered to pay the fine for me", says Maxi.
And customer Chris Conner is one of them. "I support her 100%. With the economy being the way it is, it's tough enough to keep a business going", he says.
"I truly admire Judy for standing up and I think all the clubs in Richmond should stand up with her", says customer Gail Tyree.
If Maxi and her patrons don't comply with the no smoking law starting tomorrow, there is a $25 penalty either for the restaurant proprietor or for the individuals that are smoking in that restaurant.
Virginia Department of Health spokesperson, Chris Gordon says police will issue the summons, while the Health Department is responsible for educating the restaurant owners about the smoking ban, removing ashtrays and making sure "no smoking" signs are up.
Judy Maxi runs Caddy's, a restaurant lounge in Midlothian.
She says smoking has been part of the culture there for 25 years, and until she gets the money to add a non-smoking section, it's not about to change any time soon.
"The governor does not pay my bills. In fact, I pay his bills and his paycheck", says Maxi.
Maxi says 95% of her customers smoke. She's got seven ventilation units throughout the bar, and believes that should be enough for now.
Besides, it's a lounge, she says, a place where people come to unwind around 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., listen to music, have a drink and smoke.
"I want to be one of the restaurants that people can come into and still smoke and have a good time and not have to worry about it", says Maxi
And she's anything but worried about breaking the law.
"I don't consider it breaking the law. This is my business. It's private owned. It's in my name and it's not in the state's name.... I mean, a $25 fine is nothing compared to what I'm losing in sales. I've even had customers who offered to pay the fine for me", says Maxi.
And customer Chris Conner is one of them. "I support her 100%. With the economy being the way it is, it's tough enough to keep a business going", he says.
"I truly admire Judy for standing up and I think all the clubs in Richmond should stand up with her", says customer Gail Tyree.
If Maxi and her patrons don't comply with the no smoking law starting tomorrow, there is a $25 penalty either for the restaurant proprietor or for the individuals that are smoking in that restaurant.
Virginia Department of Health spokesperson, Chris Gordon says police will issue the summons, while the Health Department is responsible for educating the restaurant owners about the smoking ban, removing ashtrays and making sure "no smoking" signs are up.
