Some Michigan restaurants are defying state orders

NILES, Mi. -- Some businesses in Michigan are defying state orders in an attempt to stay afloat. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services extended the epidemic order earlier this week with the new end date set for Dec. 20, restricting dine-in services at restaurants even longer.

But, some businesses, like Rise n’ Shine Café in Niles are taking a stand against those restrictions. Restaurants in Southwest Michigan responding to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s extended COVID-19 epidemic order that added 12 more days to things like indoor dining service restrictions at restaurants.

Michigan’s epidemic order is set to end on Dec. 20, but restaurants are taking matters into their own hands. Rise n’ Shine Café is one of nine restaurants that is listed on a flyer that’s part of Stand With Michigan’s “ Refuse to Obey” unconstitutional mandates tour.

The restaurants that are listed plan to open for indoor dining services defying the state mandate that was extended earlier this week. Rise n’ Shine Cafe put out the following statement on their Facebook page,

“We can no longer afford to do only carry out, [and] we will continue to do our part with 50% capacity and social distancing. Our employees can’t live off of unemployment. We are trying to do the right thing, [but] please don’t feel you should come in if you are not comfortable. We will continue to do curbside. It has been a difficult year for everyone and we are making hard decisions not only for our families but our employees also.”

ABC57 reached out to Governor Whitmer’s office for a response and have not heard back yet.

Initially, the three -week epidemic order was set to end Tuesday, Dec. 8, but was extended by 12 days on Monday, Dec. 7. Right now, it is unclear if there are any plans to extend the order once aga