MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo (KMOX) - A local gym owner refuses to shut his doors in accordance with the St. Louis County stay-at-home orders, which did not include gyms on its list of businesses that will be allowed to reopen on May 18.
House of Pain owner Joe Corbett is pushing back against a cease-and-desist order from the County, which gave him until 5 p.m. on Sunday to close his Chesterfield and Maryland Heights gyms. He stated in a video posted on Sunday that he will be not be closing.
"We feel that this is definitely an overreach (by the government)," Corbett says. "And we feel like they're ruling with a heavy hand here, and we're doing what we feel is right for small business, and right for our members and for the people that we serve."
The Post-Dispatch reports Corbett's attorney wrote the County a letter on Saturday, stating the county's order to bar gyms from reopening conflicts with federal and state orders. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson's plan allowed for all businesses – essential and non-essential – in the state to reopen as of May 4.
According to the gym's website, they opened on May 4 and have remained over everyday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
County Executive Sam Page said Monday morning "well see what the courts do," when asked what he plans to do about the defiant gym.
Corbett asked his supporters to write to Page and contact their local state representatives in support of the gyms.
"For all of the haters out there who threaten me and threaten my family, I want you to do me a favor, I want you to go find a veterans and thank a vet for the freedom they've given you to act like an a******," Corbett says. "And for everyone else, all love."
You can watch the full statement from him, here: