Jim Staffieri, owner of the Pizza Stop, announced Sunday via Twitter that his restaurant dining rooms in Pittsford, Greece and downtown Rochester would reopen April 30.

“I’ve got families to take care of, employees to take care of," he told the Democrat and Chronicle later that day.

Hours later, after a visit from a code compliance officer from the Town of Pittsford, he changed his mind.

"Due to the threat of closure, we’re going to have to not do it," he said. "If I was rich I wouldn’t care. I’m not.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has extended New York's PAUSE order until May 15. While restaurant dining rooms are required to be closed and bars and eateries confined to offering takeout, essential businesses like grocery stores remain open. And that's the part that frustrated Staffieri.

"Way back in the beginning of this, Wegmans was full of thousands of people every day and no one was worried," he said. "Why would they be worried to come into my store? I don’t get it."

He had planned to place chairs on top of every other table to enforce social distancing, have employees wear masks, and disinfect tables after each customer.

Pittsford Town Supervisor Bill Smith said enforcement is divided among code enforcement, the Monroe County Sheriff's office and the New York State Attorney General.

Pittsford's compliance officer informed Staffieri that consequences of violating the New York's PAUSE order could include a cease and desist order from the town, a do not occupy order from the town or even the loss of the restaurant's county health department permit. The substance of the visit was confirmed by Staffieri and Smith.

Staffieri's response was to back down.

“I can’t take that chance," he said. "I can’t have the guys here be out of work.”

While the dining rooms will remain closed, the restaurants will continue to be available for takeout and delivery.

"I feel badly for the owner of the business," Smith said after hearing that Staffieri changed his plans. "You don’t do something like this unless you’re at your wit’s end. … He’s trying to save his business.

"We need to have compassion here, but we also need to have an understanding of what’s necessary in the circumstances."

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Bob Duffy has been appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to gather information on a phased reopening of businesses in the Finger Lakes.

"Whatever opens, and however it opens, it has to be done in a way that does not raise the level of infection," Duffy said this week.

The Monroe County Health Department issued a statement after contact by the D&C: “We are at a critical juncture in our fight against COVID-19. While we understand that many residents and businesses are eager to reopen and get back to life as we knew it, the reality is that New York Pause remains in effect until at least May 15. Any business that violates these provisions is subject to punishment in accordance with the Executive Order. The Monroe County Department of Public Health stresses the need to continue to practice good social distancing, regularly washing your hands and wearing a face covering when in public.”

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Reporter Tracy Schuhmacher focuses on food from many facets. Send story tips to TracyS@Gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram as @RahChaChow. Your subscription makes work like this possible.