Opening Fresno County Businesses

2020 has been a roller coaster for businesses thanks to the coronavirus. They closed, then re-opened, then closed again.

Governor Gavin Newsom loosened restrictions on October 1, but before that, business owners and community members gathered to speak at Fresno City Hall. Hundreds rallied in support of the “open Fresno County” movement.

Curt Costello, a Fresno California resident, wanted local leaders and the community to stand up to state leaders over restrictions concerning the opening of many local businesses. “I hope Fresno makes a good stand…we’re treated like a red-headed step child, and I think we need to stand up and do what’s right.”

Manny Perales, owner of Yosemite Falls Cafe, hopes the state government will reconsider its guidelines after seeing the turnout of the event. “We don’t want to go against government, we just want the government to use some good common sense and allow us to open.”

Owners believe that they can run their business and keep employees and patrons safe.

“When we opened up the first time you know, we had to follow these CDC guidelines and protocols and had to spend thousands of dollars to make sure we were compliant. And we did that for three weeks and they shut us down,” stated Perales.

Some local businesses planned to open their doors on October first, regardless of state and local guidelines.

“We can do it safely, I mean just because we want to conduct business, we have that fundamental right to do that doesn’t mean we don’t care about the virus,” said Perales.