Board votes to allow “bars” to re-open for business
Perhaps it was persuasive voices — such as Cotton Eyed Joe owner Chuck Ward, who spoke during the Citizens Forum portion of Knox County Board of Health’s Wednesday, Aug. 5, virtual meeting — that led to a sudden change of direction.
After hearing from this Farragut businessman and others, along with Board discussion of various alternatives to its own order of one week earlier — which required Ward and other Knox County “bar” owners to cease all on-premises sales as of Monday, Aug. 3 — the Board voted to allow such “bars” to re-open for business starting today, Thursday, Aug. 6.
The one new requirement is a 10 p.m. nightly curfew for on-premises sales.
“We have taken every precaution we possible could have — including, but not limited to, installation of Plexiglas throughout the entrance, the bars, etc.,” Ward said during his three minute of time before the Board. “Total sterilization of the entire club every week.
“We have made it a point to correctly inform our patrons with signage, in accordance with social distancing and masks,” he added. “We have required masks at any time that they are not sitting at their table — even making our patrons wear masks on the dance floor.”
Moreover, “Upon entering the bar their temperature is taken and sanitizer is provided,” Ward said. “The three questions are asked (including, ‘Are you sick?’ and ‘Have you been around anyone sick in the last 48 hours?’) and masks are provided if they don’t have one.
“Enforcing these rules has made some patrons not want to come to our bar due to their beliefs,” he added. “But we’re happy to continue to do this if it means keeping our bars open, even if we lose some customers.”
The significant spike in COVID-19 cases in Knox County this summer, including deaths, “Is stemming from lots of issues, not just the bars reopening. … I don’t feel we have enough proof of that,” Ward said.
As an alternative if Knox County bars were to remain closed to on-premises sales, patrons “can drive 10 minutes in any direction beyond Knox County lines and be at a bar in a surrounding county,” he said.
“Our county needs the revenue,” Ward added about sales tax and “liquor tax” dollars his and other bars generate for Farragut, Knox County and Knoxville. “… There’s already been several hundred thousands of dollars lost since we shut our bar down the first time.”
He also mentioned Cotton Eyed Joe and other Knox County bar employees taking a financial hit after having to be laid off.
