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Businesses including taverns and bars like Reverend Jim’s in Buchanan Dam are languishing as the Texas governor delays full re-opening of those establishments. Contributed -
Gov. Greg Abbott recommended businesses that are allowed to open do so with customer limits, social distancing and other standard health protocols from DSHS. Contributed
As merchants sort through the list of guidelines from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, some eateries have adjusted while those who derive 51 percent of their profit from alcohol sales may be straining to keep their operations afloat.
Since March, the state closed and then conducted a phased re-opening of establishments which resulted in mass furloughs, layoffs and some permanent closures of certain businesses.
In Marble Falls, primarily family-owned operations including a catfish eatery and two downtown tourism-related merchants permanently closed, while two Mexican restaurants temporarily shuttered due to positive COVID-19 tests among employees. During that time, a movie theater changed hands and plans to re-open Aug. 28 as Cinergy Cinema. Theaters like restaurants and other retailers can re-open under ‘social distancing,’ sanitation and mask covering requirements.
Businesses closed indefinitely as the governor awaits changes in virus case numbers involves taverns such Pat’s Pub, Reverend Jim’s and Pardner’s in Buchanan Dam.
The governor’s extended disaster declaration in June resulted in an open-ended potential future of those establishments – allowed to operate with limited features.
“All bars and similar establishments that receive more than 51 percent of their gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages are required to close,” Abbott wrote at the height of the pandemic crisis in June. “These businesses may remain open for delivery and take-out, including for alcoholic beverages, as authorized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.”
Those who buck the system will face loss of their TABC license.
As the governor faces pushback from tavern owners across the state, he remained steadfast in recent days on his position of the remaining closures.
“The state of Texas is strong; our people, resilient. As we have seen during past natural disasters, when neighbors help neighbors, our resilience is redoubled,” according to a statement from the governor’s office. “As we open Texas, we are each called upon to be Texans: to act responsibly and safely as we re-engage the economy, to continue following all health precautions, and to care for our most vulnerable neighbors.
His office recommended businesses which are allowed to open with customer limits continue following the minimum standard health protocols from the Department State Health Services.
Go to https://Open.texas.gov for a list of protocols and business requirements.
