Dan Zierath owns Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub in Wauwatosa and said he plans to reopen his dining room and bar to prove a point.

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SARAH THAMER. >> I’M NOT GOING TO BE PUSHED AROUND. SARAH: DAN ZIERATH OWNS JACKSON’S BLUE RIBBON PUB IN WAUWATOSA. THEY’VE COMPLIED WITH THE GOVERNOR’S STAY-AT-HOME ORDER SO FAR. COME HE SAYS THAT’S GOING TO MAY 1, CHANGE. >> A LOT OF MY EMPLOYEES THEY’RE HURTING, I’VE HAD TO BORROW MONEY TO SEVERAL EMPLOYEES AND , IT’S JUST BAD RIGHT NOW AND WE JUST NEED TO REOPEN OUR ECONOMY. SARAH: HE SAYS THE GOVERNOR’S EXTENSION OF THE ORDER UNTIL MAY 26 IS UNFAIR. >> WE’RE IN AMERICA, YES, YOU SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE. SARAH: ZIERATH SAYS CHOOSING TO OPEN UP HIS DOORS ON MAY 1 HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH MONEY. >> AS A MATTER OF FACT WHEN I OPEN, I’M GOING TO LOSE MONEY, I’M DOING THIS TO MAKE A POINT, THEY’RE TAKING RIGHTS FROM US, AND THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO THAT. >> THAT’S NO LONGER JUST A DECISION THAT AFFECTS HIM. THAT HAS A DANGEROUS IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. SARAH: JACOB FLOM IS A MEMBER OF THE FACEBOOK GROUP DEFEAT RIGHT TO WORK IN WISCONSIN. HE’S AGAINST ZIERATH’S PLANS TO OPEN SOONER. >> IT’S NOT ONLY DANGEROUS, BUT IT’S INSULTING TO OUR FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS THAT ARE FIGHTING THIS VIRUS. >> YES, IT’S VERY SERIOUS, PEOPLE ARE DYING, BUT IT JUST DOES NOT CONSTITUTE SHUTTING DOWN AN ENTIRE NATION THAT WAS THRIVING AND DOING SO WELL. SARAH: DESPITE ONLINE CRITICISM, ZIERATH SAYS HE’S GOING TO BE CAREFUL, ENFORCE SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND PEOPLE WILL ABLE TO DINE IN COME MAY 1. >> IF YOU WANT TO STAY AT HOME MY GOD, THIS IS AMERICA. STAY AT HOME, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO. BUT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TIRED OF IT AND WANT TO COME OUT AND HAVE A MEAL BY ME, PLEASE DO, YOU HAVE THAT RIGHT. BEN: WAUWATOSA POLICE SAY IF OR WHEN A BUSINESS PLANS TO OPEN ON MAY 1, POLICE WOULD ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC SITUATION AT THAT TIME. TONIGHT, THE TAVERN LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN RELEASED A STATEMENT CALLING FOR A SOFT REOPENING OF THE STATE’S TAVERNS, RESTA

Advertisement Restaurant owner plans to reopen despite stay at home order Dan Zierath owns Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub in Wauwatosa and said he plans to reopen his dining room and bar to prove a point. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A Wauwatosa restaurant owner says he will open his business on May 1 despite Wisconsin's stay at home order.Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinDan Zierath owns Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub.He said he will open the bar and dining room because he feels he has that right as a business owner.Gov. Tony Evers ordered bars and restaurants to close in March to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.Restaurants are allowed to continue providing carry-out and delivery service.Evers last Thursday extended the state order until May 26.It led vocal opponents to stage protests like one Saturday in Brookfield.Zierath has owned Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub for about eight years.He also owns a few other restaurants in the area, but said he's not planning to reopen those on May 1.Zierath said he's heard criticism of his plan to reopen, but he's going to go ahead with it to prove a point."I've had about 60 to 70 percent of my employees reach out to me and tell me that they are willing to work if you're not by all means, customers as well," he said. "If you want to stay at home, my God this is America, stay at home, you have every right to, but for the people that are tired of it and want to come out and have a meal by me, please do, you have that right."It's up to local officials to enforce the state rules.Wauwatosa police told WISN 12 News if a business plans to open on May 1, the department will address the specific situation at that time.The Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub in Milwaukee posted on its Facebook page that it was under different ownership and did not agree with Zierath's decision to reopen.That location will remain temporarily closed.Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube