Stay Open La Plata County

Stay Open Durango is forming as an alliance of businesses in response to the current local and state ordinances.  Enough is enough. More and more businesses are choosing 1) to keep their doors OPEN & 2) to fight back against this overreach.   Like Jerry Martinez said to the Herald today:

"My restaurant would not be able to survive another shutdown to indoor seating" and has chosen to remain open to keep his business afloat and his staff members employed.  "We’ve done everything they asked us to do,  and to me, at some point, I’m going to sit here and lay down? I’m done with that. It’s the only way I can stay alive and employed." Martinez estimated his diner has lost about $220,000 this year. “We’re concerned about COVID and people getting sick and all that, but you’re not concerned about the livelihood of people’s lives?” Martinez said. “I want them to come tell our 15 employees they don’t have a job right now.”  Martinez argued liquor stores and dispensaries have been allowed to remain open, but the virus can spread in those businesses just as it can in restaurants. He said the public health orders don’t consider business owners and employees. Since the pandemic, several restaurants have closed permanently, at least in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as Eno Cocktail Lounge and Wine Bar, the Palace Restaurant, the Irish Embassy Pub, Kassidy’s Kitchen and Pura Vida in Vallecito.  Martinez said he is aware, and prepared, should the possibility of enforcement come. As president of the 100 Durango Club, which supports emergency personnel and first responders, he’s already talked to police. “The sad thing is, those are the guys that are going to have to come say something to me,” Martinez said. “And I’m going to tell them I’m not going to close. I’m not going to do it.”  Durango Herald Article 

We're raising funds to cover the $25k needed to file an emergency lawsuit. Precedence is - they win. If 10 + businesses choose to be bold and stay open and we all support them by contributing to this case, we can coordinate with our constitutional lawyer by Friday, and get this in the court by next Friday.

Now is the time, and this is one of the best ways you can support our local businesses (outside of continuing to shop with them!) to help establish a precedence in this county legally, against these mandates. 

Please contribute and let's get this case funded and headed to the court by THIS FRIDAY.  As a Thanksgiving to our gracious Local Businesses!