CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio — Essential or non-essential?
3News Investigates got a hold of every complaint filed with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) regarding non-essential businesses still up and running.
1,100 complaints came in regarding essential and non-essential businesses, 240 complaints came in regarding social distancing, and 900 complaints came in regarding businesses not following orders.
Of those, 600 complaints were sent to staff for follow-up.
Of those, 72 of the complaints were found to be out of compliance with Ohio Department of Health orders in terms of social distancing and/or being a non-essential business.
The majority of places that were not complying were:
- Beauty supply stores
- Dog Grooming
- Retail Furniture Stores
- Smoke and Vape Shops
Only one business, Seconds City Consignment Home Furnishings in Parma Heights, was closed via temporary restraining order due to being considered a non-essential business.
View the full list of complaints below:
3News Investigates stopped by 20 businesses in Cuyahoga County that were on that non-compliance list.
For the most part, businesses that had been warned, were closed -- like Beauty Exchange in Maple Heights.
“It’s been very tough,” said Mike Muntaser, manager at Beauty Exchange. “We didn’t lay off employees but they’re off because we’re not open. It’s affected sales, especially because we can’t open to the public.”
Other businesses found ways to stay open, while still complying with the county’s guidelines -- like Bee Clean Car Wash in North Olmsted.
“The same guy from the county came back said you guys can stay open as long as you’re abiding by the rules of cleaning off the kiosk and disinfecting between customers,” said Vinny Hennel, general manager, Bee Clean Car Wash.
3News checked with CCBH and they confirmed that car washes could stay open if they’re running this way.
And still, other businesses like Port Royal Cigars in Solon found what seemed to be a loophole – locking their doors most of the time but also allowing some sales from the sidewalk.
“I just made my purchase without going into the store,” said one customer.
While it was a creative idea, CCBH later told 3News that’s not allowed.
As far as punishments for the 72 businesses on that non-compliance list, CCBH told 3News, “no fines were issued and there were no lasting implications.”
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