San Diego City Wire

A San Diego business owner is refusing to abide by a recent stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Alondra Ruiz has made a defiant stand in refusing to shut down her restaurant, The Village San Diego, on El Cajon Boulevard. 

Ruiz told the paper that by keeping her restaurant open and inviting patrons, she is peacefully protesting the stay-at-home orders that have been issued for the area. Servers are continuing to don masks and customers have specifically requested that the restaurant stay open. 

Newsom’s order states that indoor and outdoor dining is strictly prohibited and that a number of types of businesses – including nail and hair salons, bars, wineries, breweries, aquariums, museums and zoos – must be closed. 

Ruiz explained to the paper that her motivation to stay open extends beyond simple economics and ventures into the realm of being a good employer. 

“I can’t just let go of my staff right before the holidays," Ruiz told the newspaper. "I’m just staying open to pay my employees. I asked them if they want to work, and they said they want to work.”  

The paper reported that patrons of Ruiz’s restaurant said that they were pleased that Village San Diego was staying open, arguing that eating outside has not been scientifically proven to increase the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. 

With many businesses forced to close out of economic necessity, patrons noted, there is more reason than ever before to support those that are still open. 

It is possible that The Village will be slapped with a cease-and-desist order from San Diego County. If the restaurant were to refuse to cooperate, it could be fined $1,000.

The county has been the recipient of nearly 1,000 calls from the public, including complaints about illegal gatherings and individuals refusing to wear face coverings. Many business owners, however, are willing to take the risk of being issued a fine, as they have already lost so much from the pandemic’s impact.