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ST. PETERSBURG – Governor Ron DeSantis is considering reopening bars and breweries in the state. 

“If you’re in business in the state of Florida we want you to be successful, we want people to be able to go to work,” said Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis. 

Governor Ron DeSantis met with local brewery owners in St. Petersburg to discuss the challenges they have faced and how they are managing to stay open, nearly six months after being forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We’re at an imperative point for this industry, to at least have the opportunity to fight for our life,” said Owner of Big Storm Brewing Company, L.J Govoni. 

“It’s time for us to put all of our employees back to work, this has to start rolling again, and the other thing is, it’s time for us to offer that peace of what we are, the hospitality industry,” said Owner of 3 Daughters Brewing Company, Mike Harting. 

Bars and Breweries were given the green light on July 1st to be able to operate if the establishment was licensed to sell food.

Green Bench Brewing Company began selling food to weeks ago to stay afloat. 

“The first two weekends have been good, obviously nowhere near what it used to be for us but that’s okay, we’ll baby-step it until we get there,” said Owner of Green Bench Brewing Company, Nathan Stoneipher. 

Owners all agree they can reopen in a safe way. 

“Health and safety is obviously number one for everyone right now in the state of Florida, but there’s no reason that the rest of the hospitality industries in our state can’t get on a path to open up, we want to do this before tourist season starts up again we think it’s important, especially for the employees that we have here and for those that we want to bring back,” said Stoneipher. 

DeSantis says people have to be able to go back to business. 

“It’s one thing to say, we may need you to do some of these things for safety, and health and I think all of you guys would be willing to do it but it’s another thing to say no, and there’s no path to yes, so we’ll get to yes,” said DeSantis.