Contact:
Andy Shallal (703) 220-7007
Angela Bradbery (202) 669-6517
September 8, 2004
Mimi's in Dupont Circle Goes Smokefree
Drinking and Eating Establishment Makes Move to Protect Workers from Secondhand Smoke
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mimi's American Bistro, a popular Dupont Circle bar and eatery, is going smokefree beginning today. While many restaurants in the District are smokefree, it is unusual for an establishment with such a substantial bar clientele to be smokefree.
Owner Andy Shallal said he made the move to protect workers and patrons from secondhand smoke. His decision came after he received dozens of letters from customers who said they would patronize Mimi's more frequently if it were smokefree and from D.C.-area residents who said they don't frequent Mimi's but would do so if they didn't have to breathe secondhand smoke there.
"Secondhand smoke is hazardous, and I don't believe my workers or patrons should be exposed to it," Shallal said. "We expect Mimi's will be even more popular than ever after we go smokefree."
Shallal chose Sept. 8 to go smokefree to coincide with a happy hour/kickoff meeting of Smokefree DC, a non-profit membership organization made up of DC-area residents and workers who believe all workers deserve to breathe clean air on the job and who are pushing for a 100 percent smokefree workplace law in the District. The event runs from 6-7:30 p.m. tonight.
Shallal owns three other restaurants in the District, all of which are smokefree: Luna Grill, Skewers and Luna Café. None have a bar.
Hicham Barami, a manager at Mimi's, smokes but said he is pleased at the move. "This gives me good incentive to quit," he said.
Secondhand smoke has 4,000 chemicals, more than 50 of which cause cancer. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer and heart disease, and has been linked to asthma and bronchitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a warning to those at risk of heart disease that exposure to secondhand smoke for as little as 30 minutes can increase the risk of a heart attack.
Since it opened in 2000, Mimi's has featured singing servers. "Secondhand smoke is particularly damaging to the vocal chords," Shallal said. "When I mentioned the new smokefree policy to the singing staff, they were thrilled."
Mimi's, at 2120 P St. NW, serves American food made with locally grown produce. Mimi's has a happy hour weekdays from 4-7 p.m. with half-priced appetizers, jumbo martinis for $4.50, draft beers for $2.50 and well drinks for $3. Food is served until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.mimisdc.com.
Smokefree DC is a non-profit 504c(4) membership organization that believes all workers have the right to breathe clean air on the job.