This Milford Pub Couldn't Stop Lamont's Emergency Orders So Far

MILFORD, CT — Kristine Casey began working at a local pub in 2005 and after seven years there she fulfilled her dreams of buying the bar and owning her own business.

But after eight years of operating Casey’s Irish Pub in Milford, her worst nightmare came to fruition. The coronavirus pandemic hit, and she was forced to close her business March 16. She didn't reopen until Sept. 1.

Casey, 39, is not alone in being financially impacted by the pandemic. And while her story isn't unique, sadly, it's still very personal to her.

When her business closed, she went through her life's savings and had to borrow money from her family. Yes, the bills were still piling up, including rent, utilities and insurance costs. Those didn't magically disappear during the pandemic, she said.

Casey sued the state of Connecticut and Gov. Ned Lamont in an attempt to force phase 3 to proceed as planned, which included the reopening of bars. But a judge recently sided with Lamont and ruled the emergency orders were not unconstitutional, according to the Connecticut Post.

The judge concluded that Lamont is allowed to "issue executive orders to protect the public health," the Connecticut Post reported. However, the judge did add she had sympathy for local pub owners and the economic impacts of the pandemic.

Casey told Patch she will appeal the decision and simply wants phase 3 to proceed.

Casey said her pub is very small, and she waited until Sept. 1 to reopen because she was hopeful phase 3 would proceed this summer. She couldn't make a profit by selling food, as most of her revenue was from alcohol sales.

Why did she sue the state of Connecticut?

Casey said it's "disheartening" to have someone tell you can't work, that "you're done."

"How do you pay your bills?" Casey said, while adding she has received no financial help from the federal or state government. "It's a really bad situation."

"Your whole life has been halted," she added.

She sued because she doesn't believe the situation was handled fairly from the onset. She stressed that she believes the coronavirus is a very serious situation and the best course was to shut down everything for one month in the spring.

However, she said Lamont allowed numerous other businesses to remain open and that wasn't fair. She said now that Connecticut's infection rate is around 1 percent, it's time to commence with phase 3 and the reopening of bars.

Is she making money since reopening?

The answer is no. Casey said she did spend $3,000 to purchase plexiglass to surround the bar and tables. She used to have three full-time employees and now she is down to just two part-timers and herself.

She said she is still losing money and doesn't know how much longer she can keep things running. Casey said she reopened because she is hoping to make as much money as possible to keep the business afloat until full capacity is restored. She's been forced to cancel her dart league that brought in 25 percent of the pub's revenue.

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Attorney General weighs in

Attorney General William Tong said in a statement that the ruling solidly affirms the "Governor’s authority during public health and civil preparedness emergencies to take affirmative steps to protect public health and safe lives."

“Our constitution is unambiguous," Tong said. "The Governor has broad authority after the declaration of public health and civil preparedness emergencies to take affirmative steps to protect public health and to save lives. The Governor’s orders have been lawful and justified, and they have saved lives. These measures have not been without sacrifice, but nothing can be more important right now than keeping people safe."

Since June 17, restaurants are allowed to offer 50 percent capacity when it pertains to indoor dining, while bars are currently not allowed to reopen. Bars are closed until at least Sept. 26 by Lamont's executive order.

Per state rules, a bar cannot open if there's staff working the bar, if there's no plexiglass or similar physical barrier at the bar between staff and customers, and if there's not at least 6 feet of distance between parties with no standing.