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POLSON — Piles of smoking trays sat stacked up in a storage room at the Sportspage Lounge for the first time on July 1, as the local bar goes smoke-free three months ahead of the state mandated Oct. 1 deadline. The proactive decision was not one that came easy to local Sportspage owners Glenda and Ross Woods.

“We have our share of regular customers who come in and have a smoke, and it was difficult to make that decision because we don’t want to lose those customers,” Glenda said.

She explained that as much as they don’t want to alienate regulars who smoke, they know they are losing customers for lunch and dinner at the lounge that won’t come in because of the smoking environment. On top of that, the decision to switch to smoke-free early was a logical one as July marks the beginning of peak tourist season — with many travelers coming to town from states that already have a smoking ban in bars.

For now smokers will have to take it outside, but the owners say they are planning on accommodating those customers with outdoor picnic tables, chairs, and patio seating. Woods said most of the comments she’s received from smoking customers have been cooperative so far.

Debbie Crippen, a customer in the lounge on July 1, said she felt the decision was a smart move.

“I come in here not to smoke, but for the atmosphere and clientele,” Crippen said. “Smoking outside is just fine — there’s no downfall to it.”

Bartenders at the lounge also look to be in favor of the ban as many have requested it as a chance to quit smoking themselves. Ronnie Rogers, a bartender on and off for the Sportspage in eight of the 11 years since it’s opening, quit smoking over a week before the changeover.

“I started a little early because I didn’t know if I could quit right on the first, but I already can feel a difference,” Rogers said.

The July 1 ban was not the first big change the owners have endured since 1998, with the bowling alley going smoke-free in 2007 and gambling being shut down in November 2006.

“We had to restructure a few things because the gambling ban was a big hit to the economy for us,” Glenda said.

The owners look forward to the future, though, wary of the unknown impact of the changing times.

“Change is always hard because you just don’t know what to expect, but it will definitely be better for the health of our employees and customers,” Glenda said. “We’re afraid of losing customers, but on the other hand we know we will be gaining some new customers who aren’t here now.”