The owner of a bar and restaurant north of the Twin Cities is fanning the flames of controversy just one day after the state said it faced a 60-day suspension of its liquor license.
Neighbors on the Rum was cited Wednesday night by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division for defying Governor Tim Walz's Executive Order disallowing on-site consumption of alcohol and food.
Joe Holtz runs three Neighbors Eatery and Saloon locations, including Neighbors on the Rum in Princeton.
"We have very big hearts," Holtz told WCCO Radio's Dave Lee during the WCCO Morning News on Thursday. "My girls are hurting, the people that work for me are devastated. There's no help for them and there's no help in sight."
It all reached a boiling point on Wednesday when state officials entered the Princeton location to cite the bar for being open. Holtz said what happened was not acceptable.
"The health department and a police officer visited us on Wednesday and they were not wearing masks," Holtz said. "They come in with no masks and tell me and my wife that we're in violation of an order and they are not wearing masks? We were wearing masks. I just don't know where to turn."
Holtz said the prolonged shutdown of indoor dining and drinking doesn't make sense, especially when dining is allowed at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
"We could not just sit by and watch our employees not provide their kids a Christmas, not being able to provide for their family, and not make their bills," he said. "Especially when people can go to the airport, have a drink and food, and then fly to Paris. It's beyond our comprehension."
Safety has not been an issue there in the past.
"I don't know how anyone can determine where this virus spread," Holtz said. "We are one of the cleanest facilities in the state and are told so many times by the health department when they inspect us."
Echoing the sentiments of restaurants statewide, Holtz told Lee that the takeout-only model has not been cutting it.
"We were down 92 percent from October to November," he said. "You have good people doing good deeds to help us, but no one likes to eat out of a Styrofoam container."
Despite the controversial opening, response has been largely positive for Holtz and his employees.
"We had people driving from 70 to 100 miles away on Wednesday," said Holtz.
As for what's next, Holtz told Lee that they're undecided about whether to reopen Thursday.
"We have some talking to do with our attorney," he said. "I don't know how we cannot stay open. We're doing everything right. If they want to try and shut us down for doing everything right, I guess they need to look in the mirror. The governor needs to look in the mirror and realize what he's doing to everyone."
Even with the passing of a $242 million COVID-19 relief package for businesses and workers in Minnesota, Neighbors on the Rum could once again find itself open for business soon.
"I could shutdown for two months and go to Florida and I'll be fine," Holtz said. "I'm a saver and pay my bills. I don't spend money I don't have. I shouldn't have to fight to work 80 hours a week."
Holtz ended with a plea to Gov. Walz.
"I'd love the governor to call me and tell my family personally how he can allow people sitting in the airport, flying internationally out of MSP, to sit, eat and drink before their flight."
The 60-day suspension is pending a hearing before an administrative law judge. Further violations, according to DPS-AGED, could mean the licenses are revoked for five years.