EAST AURORA, NY (WKBW) – Governor Andrew Cuomo is targeting bars across the state that he says are breaking the rules and causing a lot of frustration for local business owners.
“We are a brewery first and it has been a challenge for all of our employees and all of our customers as the rules continue to change and evolve,” said John Cimperman, founder of 42 North Brewing Co.
Governor Cuomo cautions that bars allow people to congregate and stand, specifically the younger crowd.
“I think there is a disconnect, we never authorize the reopening of bars. We do not authorize outdoor drinking, we authorize outdoor dining,” Cuomo said.
Cimperman opened a Biergarten at the back of his facility and says things have gone well.
“The rules we have in place are social distancing, staying 6 feet away, obviously sitting still, that’s a mandate when they have their beer or their food,” said Cimperman.
After the governor’s clarification, Cimperman is concerned about backing down.
“If we couldn’t allow people to sit outside and enter the brewery, we would go back to work full time and drive,” said Cimperman.
He says he will continue as usual until the New York State Brewers Association tells him otherwise.
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