Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
CLOVIS — A local bar and grill has been cited for violation of the state’s public health order.
According to the citation filed by the New Mexico State Police, more than 200 people were in Kelley’s Bar and Grill at 10 p.m. on Oct. 2, above 25% of the estimated capacity of 480. The citation also alleges patrons were not wearing masks, and social distancing was not being enforced.
Manager Heidi Baca was given the citation, but owner Jef Beyer said he would appear alongside Baca if they do go through with any court proceedings.
Beyer wasn’t sure Thursday if he planned to fight the citation, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $100 fine. Beyer said the figure of 200 “was just a guess” with no headcount done. He added that people eating are not required to wear face coverings, and he didn’t know if any of the people on the dance floor were wearing face coverings or if it was even a realistic thing to expect.
“As far as dancers on the floor, they are the 60- and 70-year-old couples who have been coming in for years,” Beyer said. “They come in together, they dance together, they’re holding hands when they walk in. It’s hard to tell them, ‘You don’t need to be dancing; you need to be 6 feet apart.’”
Beyer purchased the establishment March 1, with no way of knowing what the next seven months would bring. A few weeks later, the state shut down bars and restricted restaurants to carry-out and delivery.
One source of frustration, Beyer said, is the different set of rules just a few miles east. Bars in Texas will this week be allowed to operate at 50% capacity with the approval of county judges.
Meanwhile, Kelley’s can only function as a restaurant. That means earlier closing hours and a focus to make sure more than 50% of sales are food service.
“The later it gets,” Beyer said, “the more alcohol sales go up. We close earlier, and we concentrate on our food more. You can’t order at the bar; you have to order from your server. There are no chairs at the bar, you can’t sit at the bar.”
