Today, life changed in and around Elkhart, as the city imposed a ban on smoking in public places.

The new ordinance forced some of the affected parties to make some tough choices.

For instance, one business that had catered to families for 28-years has now been forced to ban kids.

In order to keep smoking in the bar, Crimaldi’s restaurant had to kick kids out of a nearby smoke free dining room.

“I just want to say I’m very sorry for the families that cannot come in here anymore,” said Gail Bope. “We've had children come here since they were babies and they've grown, that have babies again, and those babies can't come in.”

At the Main Street Cafe, there was no way to keep the doors open to smokers. The ash trays were placed in bags and stored in the back room. The fear was that business would be slow.

“I guess I expected not to see some of my regulars that smoke, and perhaps a slower day or at least a slower week, but we’ve been packed all day, business is good,” said Julie Pietrzak.

John Gulmyer was eating at the corner table at the Main Street Cafe. He said he comes to the restaurant three or four days a week and that the smoking ban won’t change his behavior. “I’ll still come here,” Gulmyer said.

Meantime, at The Happy Cooker Cafe they were even happier than usual. Thanks to their location in Elkhart County they moved a bit closer to monopolizing the market on diners who smoke.

“The smoking ban is from State Road 19-which is a half a mile to our left, and two miles to our right, (at the St. Joseph County line) so smoking is available here,” said Teresa Batts.

The cafe is now surrounded by, but out of the jurisdiction of two smoking bans.

As a result, it’s one of the few places left, where smoking is allowed.

“They are getting fewer and far between now,” said cafe customer Kevan Radar.

City officials say there were no reported violations of the smoking ban during day one.