Business As Usual?

Highbury Pub stays closed despite Governor's order being struck down

On May 25th, two months after Governor Evers had enacted the “Safer At Home” order, it was, in theory, meant to have been lifted following an extension. The governor's proposed "Badger Bounce Back" plan intended to open Wisconsin in phases, slowly but surely, in a manner that was intended to provide a steady recover of business to bars and restaurants.  

Instead, the order was struck down by the state’s Supreme Court on May 13th, opening every bar and restaurant that was not under a local "Safer at Home" order immediately. Some bars in the state were packed full less than an hour after the order had been rendered void. The Tavern League of Wisconsin declared, in all-caps, that bars could “REOPEN IMMEDIATELY.”   

The tumult did not directly effect Milwaukee's institutions, as the city's local order remained in effect. Indeed, the city's order has no expiration date, leaving lots of institutions with questions as to how they'll recover. 

The people and businesses of Milwaukee may not be under lockdown anymore, but they are still living with COVID-19. The abrupt nature in which everything changed has compelled people and businesses across Milwaukee to reassess their day-to-day interactions and adapt to the uncertain circumstances that COVID-19 has put them in.  

Due to the resilience of these bars in restaurants in addition to the support of the community, these establishments could overcome these challenges. Hopefully, in future years people and businesses will take the time to reflect upon and learn from their experiences with COVID-19 to help benefit the community.