Officials close local Michaels store

TEXARKANA, Texas — City and county officials showed up at 7 p.m. Monday at the local Michaels craft store with instructions to close as a nonessential business.

According to an employee, they brought something called a “declaration package.” The employee said that even though Michaels continues to operate its curbside business in other states and cities, the one in Texarkana, Texas, did not pass as an “essential” business

When questioned, Mayor Bob Bruggeman of Texarkana, Texas, said that he had ordered barber and beauty shops closed, following the declaration of County Judge Bobby Howell.

“I have not seen yet,” said Bruggeman, when asked about the packet of information that Michaels staff received.

“It was probably information and guidelines about what qualifies as an essential business, per the governor’s (Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s) declaration. We are working with county officials to assist in assuring compliance.”

“City and county officials are working together to enforce the governor’s instructions that went out March 31 and mine that went out on the 27th (of March), Bowie

County Judge Bobby Howell said. “We’ve been getting lots of calls at the operations center about businesses that weren’t essential. We have sent groups of officials out that include a city police officer and county constable to deliver these orders, in a package that includes copies of the county and state order.”

Howell described it as a joint effort between city and county in reaction to complaint calls.

“Chief Shutte may be working with the city inspection department and county constables,” he said.

“We aren’t trying to go out and be the Gestapo.”

Howell admits the descriptions of essential businesses are rather broad, and the package includes a contact process where a business judged as non-essential can get a second look at the state level and be declared essential.

“I understand trying to stay in business, draw paychecks. I have no problem with that. I wish everyone could be open and drawing a paycheck,” he said. “But we need many folks to stay at home until we are through this.”

Staff photo by Junius Stone ■ The local Michaels, a craft and hobby retail outlet, was ordered closed Monday by city and county officials. According to officials, Michaels does not qualify as an “essential” business. However, there is a process by which a business can have that judgment changed.