Say Order to Close Bars and Restaurants on Broadway Is UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Earlier Sunday Nashville Mayor John Cooper called for all bars on lower Broadway to close and all restaurants to hold no more than 50 patrons.
According to The Tennessean:
The city’s move, which was praised by some but rejected by at least one prominent area businessman, includes:
- closing bars throughout Davidson County, including in the tourist-heavy Lower Broadway area;
- limiting restaurant seating to less than 50% of capacity, with no more than 100 individuals allowed in a given establishment; and
- limiting bar service at restaurants to 50% capacity with no standing allowed.
This did not go over well with local business owners.
Steve Smith, the owner of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Rippy’s, Honky Tonk Central, Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Steakhouse & The Diner, responded to the mayor telling him his mandate is “unconstitutional.”
Via John Breslow from WKRN:
#UPDATE: Steve Smith, the owner of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Rippy’s, Honky Tonk Central, Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk Steakhouse & The Diner, responds to @JohnCooper4Nash’s call for Broadway bars to close amid #COVID19 concerns. @WKRN pic.twitter.com/wpYpy6d19N
— Josh Breslow (@JoshBreslowWKRN) March 15, 2020
The bars will remain open!
As @JohnCooper4Nash calls for Broadway bars to close immediately due to #COVID19 concerns, the owner of many of those bars says NO WAY! @WKRN
👇🏼 👇🏼 👇🏼 https://t.co/UkeiGM2Y96— Josh Breslow (@JoshBreslowWKRN) March 15, 2020
Downtown Nashville is undefeated. pic.twitter.com/BFIOzukFct
— Janna Abraham (@SportsPundette) March 15, 2020