UPDATED at 5:47 p.m. with comment from Cigar Bar owner and his attorney, with claims that they are allowed to run a bar because retail is their primary business.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner, in promoting the COVID Education and Compliance team, announced that Boca’s “Casa De Montecristo By Prime Cigar” shop was closed by inspectors for violating COVID-19 rules and regulations.
The point Kerner made: the enforcement team is out and about. They are working all hours. They will shut down businesses that are not complying with excutive orders.
“Laws must be followed,” said Kerner. “If someone is breaking the rules, call 561-24-COVID. The laws must be followed from a health standpoint and economic standpoint. Don’t feel bad about it.”
The cigar bar’s owner, and his attorney, called BocaNewsNow.com after this article first appeared to dispute Kerner’s claim. According to Brad Windstead, the owner of CASA DE MONTECRISTO BY PRIME CIGAR, the bar was shut down but not retail, and he believes that the bar is allowed to remain open. Winstead said that since his main business is selling cigars and not alcohol, he’s allowed to keep the bar open. That would seem to violate the county and state executive orders prohibiting bars from operating.
Meantime, Kerner also said that while he does not believe it is currently needed, Palm Beach County would not hesitate to shut down again, as it did in March.
Asked about mask compliance in general, Kerner said that if mask compliance does not continue, police officers will need to issue citations and enforce mask wearing orders.
Casa de Montecristo by Prime Cigar is open for business. We are first and foremost a retail tobacco store. We will continue to comply with evolving local regulations. We have complied with social distancing measures in store and all employees and customers are required to wear masks.
Brad Winstead, CEO, Casa de Montecristo
I personally know the owners, they would never purposefully commit any legal infraction, let alone put the health of his patrons in danger.