4 Chicago Restaurants, Nightclub Shut Down for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions

An SUV turns onto Lincoln Avenue from Lawrence Avenue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood in July 2020. The strip is a community hub for shopping and dining. (WTTW News)An SUV turns onto Lincoln Avenue from Lawrence Avenue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood in July 2020. The strip is a community hub for shopping and dining. (WTTW News)

City officials shut down four restaurants and a nightclub for violating rules designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, officials said Monday.

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Officials shut down Barba Yianni Greek Tavern, 4761 N. Lincoln Ave., after issuing two citations for having more than 80 people inside the Lincoln Square restaurant, operating after midnight, social distancing violations and no face coverings, according to a statement from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. 

Officials shut down Juanita’s Restaurant #2, 6539-41 W. 63rd St., after issuing two citations for having more than 70 people in the Clearing eatery, operating after midnight, social distancing violations and no face coverings, officials said.

Officials shut down Retro Café, 3246-48 N. Central Ave., after issuing two citations for operating after midnight, social distancing violations and no face coverings, officials said.

Officials shut down Estrella Blanca Nightclub, 3049 N. Cicero Ave., after issuing  two citations for allowing patrons to consume alcohol indoors without a retail food license and no face coverings, officials said.

Officials shut down Second Time Around, 8301-03 W. Irving Park after issuing two citations for operating after midnight.

City inspectors conducted 101 investigations and issued 14 citations to seven businesses for violating the city’s rules, officials said. 

A task force formed by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection conducted 38 investigations into large gatherings and parties this weekend, including eight at residential locations, officials said.

City officials declined to name the businesses that were cited. Each citation comes with a $10,000 fine, according to city ordinance.

Bars, taverns, breweries and other establishments that don’t have a retail food license permitting them to serve food were blocked on July 24 from serving customers indoors as Mayor Lori Lightfoot and health officials work to stamp out an increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city.

An average of 304 Chicagoans have been diagnosed each day with the coronavirus during the past week, a 3% decrease from the previous week, according to Chicago Department of Public Health data. The city’s average test positivity rate is 5%, according to the data.

Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]


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