DRY RIDGE, Ky. — The Northern Kentucky District Health Department has suspended a food permit for a restaurant in Grant County.

What You Need To Know

  • Northern Kentucky restaurant ignores Gov. Andy Beshear's Executive Order

  • Beans Cafe and Bakery has had its food permit suspended

  • Restaurant believes patrons can make their own decisions

  • Restaurant owner says they will appeal the suspension

 

Beans Cafe and Bakery have chosen to continue in-person dining services to its customers.

Services that Governor Andy Beshear (D) restricted on Friday for all restaurants and bars across the Commonwealth.

"As time has gone on, we have understood that it doesn't have the mortality, it doesn’t warrant the reaction that this governor has taken and the restrictions and the arbitrary decisions that he has placed,” said Richard Hayhoe, owner of Beans Cafe and Bakery. 

He says his dining room won’t be closing.

Last week, Beshear closed indoor dining for bars and restaurants among other restrictions. 

On Monday, a Northern Kentucky Health Department inspector cited the restaurant by suspending its food service permit for not following the governor's executive orders. 

Hayhoe said the same inspector gave the restaurant 98 out of a 100 score just last week for cleanliness.

“So within one week, I went from a 98 to 'Hey you know what, you’re not abiding by this latest dictate, so we’re going to pull your permit.' And that’s jobs. That’s 35 jobs. And you know that’s just going to act out because I refuse to put a tent out on my deck,” Hayhoe said.

In response, the health department provided this statement in part: “Continued operation with a suspended food service permit and in violation of the executive order would lead to the matter being turned over to the county attorney's office.”   

Hayhoe says they will be fighting this food permit suspension in court. 

“At this time we decided that you know what, we’re going to allow our people who are knowledgeable and adults and they can decide for themselves whether they want to continue to patronize our location inside, dine-in or if they prefer just go through the drive-thru or carry out or those kinds of things,” Hayhoe said.

 

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Here is the full statement from NKY Health Department:

"NKY Health has received complaints from the public about establishments not complying with the Governor's most recent Executive Order 2020-968. NKY Health is applying the same Guidance Regarding Executive Order 2020-968 provided by the Ky Department for Public Health in the same manner to all facilities that we regulate. Upon receiving a complaint, we verify that the complaint refers to an establishment included in the Governor's Executive Order 2020-968. Complaints that we receive for all other entities are referred to the appropriate state agency for action. For establishments that the health department regulates, such as restaurants, an inspector performs an on-site investigation to determine if a violation exists. For establishments found to be in violation of the Executive Order, the operator is advised of the Executive Order requirements and requested to comply. If the establishment refuses to comply, a copy of the Executive Order is provided to the operator, along with a Notice to Cease Operation per the Governor's Order. At this point, continued operation in violation of the Order would result in their food service permit being suspended by the health department. Continued operation with a suspended food service permit and in violation of the Executive Order would lead to the matter being turned over to the County Attorney's Office."