ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Four restaurants that were defying the St. Louis County ban on indoor dining have been temporarily shut down by the County Health Department, with a fifth restaurant's operations license close to being suspended as well.
Among them, Bartolino's South on Lindbergh in south county. Co-owner Mike Saracino says he plans to obey the orders for now. They have reopened on Thursday with patio and carry-out services only.
"According to our attorneys, if we do defy the health order and operate without the permit then there is some criminal charges that could be filed against us," Saracino says. "So at this time we don't really want to go to that level."
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He says County Executive Dr. Sam Page has "tunnel vision" and fails to see the economic side of the pandemic.
"It's just not fair to pick out our industry and close our dining rooms. The amount of people out of work right now is unbelievable and it's just not fair," Saracino says.
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Taxes are due at the end of the month, they have to replace a water heater and other required maintenance on their building is going to cost thousands of dollars.
He is hoping to win his case in the courts.
Meanwhile, he says his phones have been ringing from supporters, many buying gift certificates to help tide the restaurant over. The other three restaurants ordered to close are Satchmo's, Final Destination and OT's Bar. Acapulco will also be given notice of suspension if it continues to offer indoor dining, the county says.
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