Local businesses limited by Governor’s executive order

MARQUETTE — Due to concerns regarding the spread of Coronavirus, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive order to temporarily shut down dine–in services of bars and restaurants.

The executive order, which took place at 3 pm ET Monday, limits restaurants to carry–out, drive thru and delivery services. Although the new restrictions are limiting for local businesses, restaurants are remaining resilient during these trying times.

“We’re social by nature, so I think that people, hopefully, if they’re a family of four or five, they’ll get together and hang out,” said Michele Butler, co-owner of Vango’s. “It’s going to be trying times for everybody. We all know that we’re going to have to buckle down and hopefully we level the curve and we’re out of this in a short period of time.”

For bars that don’t serve food, the executive order all but shuts down revenue. Even though these circumstances are unfortunate, they’re in the best interest for public health.

“It doesn’t make me happy, but I wanna do the right thing by my customers and the community,” added Scott Soeltner, owner of Smarty’s Saloon. “So I’m willing to take it and we’ll just do the best we can with it.”

The executive order also shuts down theaters, fitness centers and other various public spaces.

Many local establishments have expressed their intent to keep their employees busy and paid while these restrictions are in place, which are set to end March 30th.