ASHTABULA, Ohio — The Ohio Investigative Unit cited an Ashtabula bar overnight for "blatantly" violating state health orders, specifically the measure prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages past 10 p.m. that went into effect Friday.
Around 12: 30 a.m. agents visited The Corner Bar in Austingburg and observed a woman standing in the doorway of the business consuming a beverage. Upon entering, they also observed roughly 10 consumers, all drinking, and a bartender in the act of pouring additional alcoholic beverages.
The business received and administrative citation.
All cases will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, where the bars face fines or even the revocation of their liquor licenses. In addition, the OIU says "multiple" warnings were issued to other bars throughout the evening, although the vast majority were complying with the health mandates.
Gov. Mike DeWine signed the order Friday, July 31 after previously requesting the commission take up the recommendations, which it did so. DeWine says the measures are necessary to curb the spread of COVID-19 as people are at higher risk in congregate settings (often bars), but several businesses are worried about their future as the period after 10 p.m. is normally one of their busiest.