The bar announced that it will definitely close Thursday after operating for the past 34 years in the 1300 block of West Addison Street.
“With the new restrictions in place for bars today and the ongoing COVID restrictions, we don’t see a way to survive,” Guthries Tavern wrote in a Facebook post on Monday night.
The corner tavern has a very special meaning for many. Meredith Weber and her husband fell in love there. Ten years later they hope to recover the closing day.
“Actually, I was walking around and trying to figure out how we were going to do that,” Weber said. “We now have a four-year-old son and see if we can go back to the good old days and fond memories.”
Mayor Lightfoot and Chicago public health officials announced Monday that restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms and other businesses will be re-imposed amid a recent increase in cases.
The reinstated restrictions will take effect at 12:01 am on Friday, July 24 to give companies time to comply.
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The restrictions include:
-Bars, taverns, breweries, and other places that serve alcohol to consume on-site will no longer be able to serve customers indoors. Non-food establishments can serve customers outdoors. Restaurants that serve alcohol may continue to operate.
-The maximum size of the party at the tables for restaurants and bars has been reduced to six people,
-There is a maximum of 10 people allowed in indoor gym classes,
-Personal services that require the removal of facial masks, such as shaving or facial treatments, will not be allowed.
-Residential property managers should limit guest entry to five people per unit to avoid indoor gatherings and parties.
Bar owners say the past few months have been an emotional roller coaster, and now they feel concerned once again with the city re-imposing certain restrictions.
Health officials say the largest increase in COVID-19 cases comes from young people between the ages of 18 and 29, and many of those cases are related to bars where social distancing and wearing of masks are difficult.
For companies that can stay open and are working hard to follow the rules, like the Music Box Theater, they are finally starting to strike a financial balance and hope they can keep their doors open forever.
“We just want everyone to be responsible, we’re doing everything we can, but obviously personal responsibility is a big part of this,” said Buck LePard, senior operations manager for The Music Box. “Another closure would make it very difficult for us to continue.”
At The Four Treys Tavern in Roscoe Village, two tables on a sidewalk simply aren’t enough.
“We can only have people up front, and they better hope they make enough money there. I can pay my waiter who’s serving, and I can pay my bills,” said Colleen Flood, owner of Four Treys Tavern in Roscoe Village.
Old Crow Smokehouse in River North is a normally popular place for parties and groups, but not in the COVID-19 age.
“I’m not surprised that the mayor has done this,” said Sam Sanchez, the owner of the Old Crow Smokehouse, who also serves as vice president of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “I’m glad you didn’t return to Phase 3.”
Because Old Crow serves food, they can also keep the bar open. But K’s Dugout in Bowmanville, a decades-old neighborhood facility, is one of hundreds of bars in the city that doesn’t serve food and will be forced to close its interior spaces on Friday.
LOOK: K’s Dugout among Chicago bars forced to close interior spaces on Friday
Manager Cathy Mathis said they have been extremely careful in enforcing capacity limits and keeping people separate. But now they feel like they’re being hurt because of the actions of other bar owners who don’t follow the rules.
“It is disturbing,” said Mathis. “Three months went by with the bar closed, and we finally reopened with the outside. And now we are allowed to have people inside, and now we are taking a step back.”
The manager of this bar, K’s Dugout, says they have been extremely careful in enforcing capacity limits and keeping people separate. And now they feel like they’re being hurt because of the actions of other bar owners who don’t follow the rules. K’s Dugout will still be able to use his patio, but the loss of the indoor bar business will be detrimental.
“We have not allowed more than 24 interiors since they let people in,” said Mathis. “We have all the seats separated, so people are kept separate the way they’re supposed to be. Those who don’t follow the rules are ruining it for those who are.”
“This is a neighborhood place. It’s like a Cheers. Everyone knows his name,” said patron Gary Phillips. “Unfortunately, when that happens, it will take away businesses that they cannot afford to lose.”
The Chicago Department of Public Health said the city has returned to a high-incidence state after the city has exceeded 200 cases per day on a seven-day moving average, averaging 233 as of Sunday, July 19.
According to Chicago health officials, the largest increase in COVID-19 cases comes from youth ages 18 to 29, and many of those cases are related to bars where social distancing and wearing of masks is often difficult.
“We really make these decisions based on the data,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. “We established some pretty clear metrics both for when we need to go backwards and forwards if we can return to a downward trajectory.”
City inspectors turned in a dozen citations for COVID-19 violations in bars over the weekend. The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection released a statement that said: “While most companies are taking the necessary precautions to keep their customers and employees safe, the City will continue to hold bad actors accountable.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he also supports the effort.
“I want to congratulate local leaders for taking steps to keep residents safe and the state supports those efforts,” said Pritzker.
Restrictions will also apply to some salon services that cannot be done with a mask, including facials. J. Gordon Designs in Lincoln Park said they are taking extra precautions to keep customers and employees safe.
“Whether we like it or not, we understand the risks of airborne particles without a mask,” said Karen Gordon, owner of J. Gordon, who also serves as president of the Chicago Association of Cosmetologists. “So we respect what the mayor is doing.”
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