Dec 16, 2020 KHQ TV
SPOKANE, Wash - Despite the Governor's order not to, The Black Diamond in Spokane Valley opened up for dine-in business Tuesday night. Co-owner Brandon Fenton said he couldn't bear to see their employees struggle without any source of income any longer.
"We are at that brink, and don't want any government handouts, we just want to be able to open and do our business," said Fenton.
Like all businesses, the Black Diamond has been hit hard this year.
Fenton said he is frustrated with Governor Jay Inslee and his restrictions to close bars and restaurants.
Fenton said they've been listening to the guidance from the governor.
"We shut down, we did our part as fellow Washingtonians to be safe, to flatten the curve," said Fenton.
He says they tried offering take-out and set up a tent for outside dining, but it didn't come close to covering their bills.
So, Tuesday, after being closed for the second time mid-November they opened back up, and Fenton says the support has been overwhelming
"It's been great, people are showing up and it was the best night we had since Inslee first shut us down," said Fenton.
The restaurant put a statement out on Facebook saying in part:
We were asked to close indoor dining. We complied. We did our part as Washingtonians to help. We were asked to do this for 4 weeks. Even though the science and data did not show that the spread was coming from restaurant and bars. Now that those 4 weeks have gone by and the numbers in Spokane county continue to rise it is fact and science that restaurants are not a cause. Therefore, asking for our industry and the people who depend on it for a living to go another 3 weeks (or more and Inslee has threatened) is immoral and criminal.
SO............... The Black Diamond is OPEN for Business. We are now open, Fully, from here on. We do this so that our employees, who are running out of unemployment, can make a living and survive. Our employees are suffering, just as so many others are. Some can't pay their bills. Phones have been shut off, car payments have been missed and rent has not been paid. Some will have to move back home with parents, would you want to do that Jay? Some can not buy Christmas presents for their children. They don't want charity. All they want is to work hard and live their lives.
We ask that anyone who may be sick do what they have always done when sick. Stay home. We also ask that if you are in the high risk category you take the time to contemplate and make the decision for yourself if you would like to come and support us.
We will be using your support to help our staff. We will be giving bonuses to help them with the holiday season and to make up for the lack of support and preparation from Jay Inslee before he cut off their ability to earn a living.
Shame on you Jay Inslee, for restricting and shutting down restaurants before having in place a plan that should have been immediately available for those you made to suffer for your assumptions. Businesses wont even know until the end of December if they will even get the grants you promised. Would you wait over 7 weeks for help that will most likely not even cover half of your expenses? How about you go without pay for half a year?
We ask all businesses that have been restricted by the mandates of a tyrant to stand and open with us. Together we are powerful. We hope that as we follow those that have already stood up for what is right that it will create a spark to light the fire we need to make a difference.
Lastly we respect your opinions please respect ours.
Thank You,
The Black Diamond Management Team
Governor Inslee's guidance forbids in person dining, but it allows for takeout and outdoor dining with table sizes of 4 or less people.
Any restaurant not following this, could face a citation.
Fenton said that he willing to risk it.
"If I have to do that so that they can have a good Christmas, a good New Year's, so they can be there to support their families, then that's what I'm going to do," said Fenton.
Fenton said that he just wants a choice.
"We are just asking that we get to make the decision for ourselves, to open up, to feed our families, and for our employees to survive," Fenton said.
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