2 more Charlotte stores cited under stay-at-home order. They’re not sure what they did wrong.
Just before Mecklenburg lifted its local order in favor of using statewide stay-at-home rules, two chain retail stores were cited for violating coronavirus business restrictions.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police issued two citations on April 23 to local employees who are accused of being in violation of the county’s coronavirus stay-at-home order, which expired April 30.
However, spokespeople for both retailers — Ashley Homestore and Gabe’s — said they aren’t sure what the businesses did wrong. Both businesses are located in University City, near UNC Charlotte.
“We properly believed we were in compliance and doing the right thing,” said spokesman for Ashley HomeStore John Snyder. The store has been closed to the public and was conducting business by appointment and had curbside pick-up available, he said.
A spokesperson for Gabe’s said in an email that the citation was because of “confusion regarding our essential retailer status” and that the store has since received confirmation it can continue to operate. Ashley Homestore has also received permission from state agencies, Snyder said.
According to police, officers sought “voluntary compliance” from both businesses but determined the stores were still operating in violation of the statute in follow-up investigations. CMPD declined to give any further details to how the business was violating the stay-at-home order.
“We believe that state and local authorities are doing everything they can to keep people safe, and we fully support their efforts,” said Gabe’s spokesperson Leigh Guldig in an email statement.
According to Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order, many North Carolina businesses that can adhere to social distancing requirements may remain open. The state, though, has specifically closed restaurant dining rooms, fitness centers, salons and other businesses.
At the time when the citation was given, Mecklenburg County’s stay-at-home order was similar but in some aspects, stricter. The local order directs all non-essential businesses to close aside from remote work and “minimum basic operations.” The differences between the local and state order has confused some business owners attempting to navigate whether they can continue to operate their stores.
“I think the governor’s plan is more than adequate,” said Mecklenburg County Commissioner Pat Cotham last month. “I think it will reduce the confusion, and the result of that is people will follow the order better than they have.”
On April 28, Mecklenburg County officials specified retail stores would be permitted to reopen for curbside pickup, beginning April 30, in line with state rules.
The change included local businesses previously not permitted to open such as bookstores, vape shops and furniture stores as long as the business has a letter from the state Department of Revenue. Customers were still not allowed inside the stores.
Snyder said there has been a misunderstanding on what minimum operations businesses are allowed to conduct if the store is closed. Employees working in the store were also following CDC guidelines on social distancing and were appropriately sanitizing equipment, he said.
Guldig said Gabe’s also has personal protective equipment available for employees and has increased sanitation of carts and restrooms.
Synder said that attorneys from Ashley Furniture will seek to resolve the citation made against a general manager.
Stay-at-home citations
Since Mecklenburg County’s stay-at-home order took effect, employees at four other businesses have been issued citations and some businesses have also expressed the citations are not fair.
CMPD issued its first citation on April 3 to a manager at Cool Cave Day Spa. Later, police also cited two local vape shops and the arts and crafts chain Michael’s.
Spokesmen for both vape shops said they believe that the businesses were unfairly targeted when other stores are allowed to operate.
In North Carolina, violating emergency prohibitions and restriction is a Class 2 misdemeanor offense. Residents can be fined up to $1,000 and face up to 60 days in jail, according to state law.
This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 3:43 PM.
