AHS orders Bennys to close its dine-in service
A Calgary breakfast restaurant that pledged to remain open for indoor dining has been ordered by Alberta Health Services to cease dine-in service.
Bennys Breakfast Bar, at 7007 11th Street S.E., defied the reintroduced ban on indoor dining until an AHS inspector shut the restaurant down for dine-in on Saturday after finding numerous violations. According to the notice of closure dated Monday, the inspector found people unmasked and within two metres of each other while waiting for a table.
As well, restaurant owner Kevin Young was wearing a face shield that did not meet the definition of a face mask, and all tables were occupied for dine-in services.
Alberta restaurants have not been allowed to provide indoor service since noon on April 9, when the government reimposed health measures meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The report also said the business was operating without a valid food handling permit, and that the notice of closure was removed shortly after it was posted at the restaurant.
Young denies the accusation that he's been operating without a valid permit. Postmedia reviewed the restaurant's food handling permit and receipt that says the permit — purchased on Nov. 3, 2020 — is valid until Sept. 30, 2021.
However, AHS said in a statement the permit was registered under a company name that did not exist anymore.
Since it appears to be a minor error, officials closed dine-in service instead of issuing a full closure order. Takeout and delivery options are still permitted.
Young said he has not been notified about the permit. He said he believes the restrictions have unfairly picked on restaurants while big-box stores and malls remain open.
“Every time AHS has changed the rules, I complied. Except for this time when they're saying `You need to close down a third time and lose your business,' I stood up and fought back,” said Young, who said he hadn't yet received a copy of the inspection report from AHS.
“That's the position I'm in now. I'm losing everything. And when you force people to lose their livelihood, eventually they may stand up.”
A video was posted to Youtube of the interaction between Young and public health officials on Saturday while masked and unmasked patrons yelled insults at the officials and Calgary police officer present.
Young said he can't control the actions of the patrons there, including those who tore down copies of the closure notice that were posted to the front door — resulting in another violation.
Bennys Breakfast Bar has been closed to dine-in since the verbal order on Saturday, but has remained open for takeout, Young said. He closed the restaurant entirely on Tuesday because of problems with outlets in the kitchen and plans to reopen without indoor dining on Friday.
Directives for Bennys are listed on the closure notice, including submitting a relaunch plan template for review and completing an application for a new food handling permit.
Another dining establishment was also flagged by AHS for having been in contravention of restrictions.
A bar in Calgary that hosted an event in late March was handed a work order from AHS to cease social gatherings after 29 cases of COVID-19 had been traced to the event.
Junction, at 628 8th Avenue S.W., has been sent a work order by AHS inspectors who said 27 cases were linked to an event on March 22.
According to the work order, patrons were socializing within two metres of each other.
Two more cases have been linked to the event since the work order was given April 9.
Junction is one of six Calgary eateries listed as having an active outbreak.