CLEVELAND — As face masks and whether or not people should be required to wear them remains a hot button issue, a local brewery is taking a stance.
Forest City Brewery in Cleveland announced Tuesday that it would close after customers have refused to wear face masks. The brewery will close indefinitely beginning Wednesday, July 22.
The company said while fortunately none of their staff members or customers (that they are aware of) have tested positive for COVID-19, they "can no longer take the risk of allowing the public in the building," a Facebook post read.
The decision comes after a study conducted by Survival At Home ranked Ohio as the ninth least cooperative state regarding masks.
Forest City Brewery says it is working on ways to still provide products to customers, but until then, they're encouraging locals to "stay safe Cleveland, we will miss you and see you when it is safe again, and people start acting in a responsible manner."
Read the company's full statement below:
"It pains us to inform you that we will be closed to the public as of 7/22/20. We did our very best to do the right thing and protect the health of our employees, our customers and our neighborhood for the past 2 months. Fortunately, none of our employees have tested positive for the virus, and we are not aware of any customers that have tested positive, but, in light of what we have witnessed the past 2 months, and knowing that many of our neighborhood friends in the bar and restaurant industry have shut down due to infected employees, we can no longer take the risk of allowing the public in the building.
We also have had a hard time dealing with people who refuse to wear masks, social distance, or follow the rules set forth by the City of Cleveland and the State of Ohio. It seems that this disturbing trend will continue (see article below). We feel that we owe it to the first responders and healthcare professionals that are our loyal customers, neighbors and friends to do everything we can to stop the spread, and keep them from being completely overwhelmed, much like we are witnessing in Florida, Texas, California and most of the southern states.
We will regroup, and find a way to sell growlers and cans from our building in the very near future. Until then, stay safe Cleveland, we will miss you and see you when it is safe again, and people start acting in a responsible manner."
