KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge in the Kansas City metro.
Leaders in states such as Texas, Florida and Michigan, have placed additional restrictions on bars and restaurants to slow the spread of the virus after having reopened earlier this year.
It's these restrictions that some local businesses hope do not take place locally, as they could be the final straw.
For Patrick Sanders, owner of Patrick's Bar No Grill in Waldo, it's been a tough few months since they're just a bar and were shut down for two months.
"When you’re making zero dollars but then still paying and that type of thing, it’s not easy," Sanders said. "You missed St. Patrick’s Day, that’s three weeks of bills being paid, you miss March Madness, that’s another three weeks of bills being paid."
The bar currently is open with restrictions, such as the mask-wearing requirement and separated tables to ensure social distancing. But if forced to shut down again, Sanders doesn't know if he could survive.
"There’s always that fear there," Sanders said, "I don’t know honestly. It would depend on for how long."
Other places such as Sol Cantina on Martini Corner were able to stay afloat with take out orders, but dine-in is where they thrive.
"Nobody is going to be able to survive on take-out alone," Shawn Larson, Operating Partner at Sol Cantina, said. "No small business can. I don’t believe that, especially in the restaurant industry."
To help stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep these businesses alive, businesses owners urge patrons to wear a mask and to follow the social distancing guidelines.
"Please help us out and please follow the rules that we’re given too," Larson said.
Sanders said he wished that "everybody was social distancing better so we can get rid of this problem quicker."
41 Action News reached out to the offices of Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas and both said that at this time, they will not impose business closures.
