City Probing Gibsons for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions After Fire Forces Evacuation

(Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse / Facebook)(Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse / Facebook)

City inspectors are investigating whether Gibsons restaurant flouted the state ban on indoor dining after the Chicago Fire Department reported “evacuating patrons” from the River North eatery after a fire, officials said.

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No one was injured in the fire, which was caused when the restaurant’s fireplace damper malfunctioned around 9 p.m. Wednesday, said Liz Lombardo Stark, a spokesperson for the Rush Street landmark.

Indoor dining and drinking has been suspended in Chicago since Oct. 30, amid a sustained and grave surge of the coronavirus.

Gibsons followed all of the rules set by the city of Chicago designed to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, Stark said.

“We are committed to the safety of our customers and employees,” Stark said in a statement. “Our intent is always to follow the rules and regulations set up by state and local officials.”

City rules allow dining at indoor tables as long as they are within eight feet of a wall that is at least 50% open to the outdoors, according to Isaac Reichman, a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

“However, this matter remains under investigation,” Reichman said.

City inspectors investigated Gibsons on Jan. 8 and found that the establishment was in compliance with the COVID-19 regulations, according to a statement from city officials.

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


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