ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On Friday, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) enacted an emergency order that once again prohibits bars, pubs, night clubs and other non-restaurant establishments from selling alcohol for consumption on premises.
In an effort to curtail the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on March 17 doing the same, but lifted it on June 5.
On Anna Maria Island, the second round of statewide bar closures impacts the Drift In, Sports Lounge, Tommy Knockers and the AMI Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach and the Anchor Inn, Dcoy Ducks and The Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach.
Issued late Friday morning and effective immediately, DBPR Order 2020-09 says, “All vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises who derive more than 50% of gross revenue from such sales of alcoholic beverages shall suspend such sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises. Such vendors may continue to sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off premises in accordance with Executive Order 20-71.
“Vendors who are also licensed as public food service establishments or restaurants may continue to operate for on-premise consumption of food and beverages at tables so long as these vendors derive 50% or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption,” the order says.
The DBPR order explains the reasoning behind these actions.
“Under Phase 2, bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises were given permission to operate at 50% of their indoor capacity so long as they provided seated service only.
“The governor directed the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to enforce restrictions in Executive Order 20-139. During the month of June, the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 increased significantly in the State of Florida, especially among younger individuals, and some of these cases involving younger individuals are suspected to have originated from visits to bars, pubs or nightclubs who have disregarded the restrictions set forth in Phase 2 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step plan for Florida’s recovery.
“Non-compliance by bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises is suspected throughout the state to such a degree as to make individualized enforcement efforts impractical and insufficient at this time,” the DBPR order says.
During his Friday afternoon press conference, Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned the increased number of younger people testing positive for COVID-19 but he did not directly address the bar closures. He simply made a passing reference to an unnamed action taken that day by the DBPR president.
Local reaction
With no advance notice, Sports Lounge bartender Courtney McGough finds herself unemployed again.
“This is so devastating to bartenders and bar owners. We followed all the guidelines that were asked of us and we even hired a door man seven days a week to help us stay at 50% capacity. It’s just not fair,” she said Friday afternoon.
Anchor Inn owner Darla Tingler said, “There’s nothing to say except this is unbelievable.”
“I’m so upset I can barely comment,” Drift In manager Doreen Flynn said.
Flynn said Drift In owners Joe and Angie Cuervo were equally surprised and upset.
“Our employees are all texting me and they just can’t believe this is happening again. They are wondering how they’re going to pay their bills and whether they go back on unemployment,” Flynn said.
Flynn questions the fairness of restaurants still being allowed to sell alcohol while the bars are forced to close.
“This is not going to slow the spread of the virus. All this does is change where our customers go to drink,” Flynn said.
The AMI Moose Lodge reopened on Friday, June 12 – one week after the other Island bars reopened.
“I am very disappointed in our system,” Lodge Administrator Byron Dalton said. “It appears the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. How are we supposed to pay our employees and pay our bills? We just restocked our coolers and freezers and there’s a lot of money invested in the products we will lose.”
Jason Benn is the bar manager at the Anna Maria Island Beach Café at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach. That establishment remains open, but Benn sympathizes with others in the industry.
“With the spike in cases, I can understand taking steps to get the numbers back under control, but I do not feel it is right to take away one type of business. I think it is wrong for those to suffer who are doing to the right things and taking extra steps to be safe,” Benn said.
“I hope the bar owners and bar employees are able to get help and assistance much easier this time. I know some that have still not heard or got anything from the first shutdown. And the bars have only been back open since June 5,” he added.
DBPR order 2020-09 can be viewed or downloaded here.
