State settles lawsuits with two Minnesota restaurants that challenged COVID mandates

Shady's, Boardwalk Bar will pay fines for resisting emergency orders to stem COVID transmission

Nov 22, 20210

Brian Peterson, Star Tribune count

Kris Schiffler, right, the owner of Shady's Hometown Tavern in Albany, Minn., told supporters outside his business that he was not opening his bar and grill on May 18, 2020, on the advice of his attorney, after getting a callKris Schiffler, right, the owner of Shady's Hometown Tavern in Albany, Minn., told supporters outside his business that he was not opening his bar and grill on May 18, 2020, on the advice of his attorney, after getting a call from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Two Minnesota restaurants that in May violated or threatened to violate statewide shutdown orders intended to curb the spread of COVID will pay civil fines, under a settlement of lawsuits filed by Attorney General Keith Ellison's office.

The Boardwalk Bar and Grill in East Grand Forks, Minn., will pay $25,000 and have a 30-day license suspension, Ellison's office announced Friday. A restaurant chain known as Shady's, which operates six locations in Stearns, Benton, and Todd counties, will pay a $30,000 fine.

The attorney general's office sued the Shady's chain when owner Kris Schiffler vowed to reopen despite Gov. Tim Walz'semergency executive order. The order, filed in mid-May, extended restrictions against in-person dining that Walz had ordered in March.Schiffler posted on social media: "We will be opening our doors Monday, May 18 ... we can't wait to see you," with the hashtags "#landofthefreebecauseofthebrave" and #togetherwestand."

https://www.startribune.com/state-settles-lawsuits-with-two-minnesota-restaurants-that-challenged-covid-mandates/600119005/