Smoking Ban Could Affects Business

A local smoke shop owner worries the state-wide smoking ban could eventually kill his business. Pipes, cigars, and ashtrays line the walls of Riegel's Pipe and Tobacco in Fort Wayne. Riegel's started as a saloon and cigar store back in 1874. Owner Al Riegel jumped from one location to another downtown, but in 1969 landed at today's infamous South Calhoun Street location. Now Riegel's has three locations across Fort Wayne: one in Covington Plaza, one in Georgetown Square and one at 624 S. Calhoun. Despite the success, the future of this family-owned business is a bit hazy. The historic Calhoun location features a smoking room that owners say is vital for business. Riegel's is currently exempt from Indiana's proposed smoking ban but fears the law could change and eventually prevent smoking in the shop. Since the start of Ohio's smoking ban, multiple smoke shops across the state puffed their last. We'll share Riegel's story on tonight's 6 o'clock newscast.