Michigan bars and restaurants mixed on 11 p.m. indoor curfew being lifted

[marmar]

(Detroit Free Press) Hallelujah.

That was Sue Burrows' reaction to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's recent announcement that the 11 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants would expire June 1.

Burrows, who manages Gusoline Alley in Royal Oak, said that while the curfew hasn't impacted the bar's business during the week — even at 50% capacity — as much as it has on Fridays and Saturdays, Whitmer's announcement last Thursday signals another welcome step toward normalcy.

"We all enjoyed getting out at a reasonable hour (but) now it's back to reality, which will be good," Burrows said, noting that the bar was typically busy until the 2 a.m. pre-pandemic closing time.

....(snip)....

Mike Forsyth, co-owner and founder of the popular Detroit City Distillery in Eastern Market, says he's ready to get back to business as usual, after months of COVID-19 restrictions.

“We've seen more demand than ever as the weather has warmed up,“ Forsyth said in an email to the Free Press. “Being able to operate after 11 p.m. means that Detroit nightlife will come back to life — and we're so ready for it." ............(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2021/05/24/michigan-bar-restaurant-curfew-lifting/5209919001/

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. It doesn't sound much like a mixed opinion. Most seem very positive.

They'd like to stay open until 2am (or 4am if that passes). They're temporarily constrained by staffing limitations. Staffing will become easier as unemployment benefits are reduced and as the auditing of job search efforts increases.

[marmar]

2. Yeah, it's not the best headline.