The state dropped its case against a Fredericksburg-area restaurateur that defied orders to comply with Gov. Ralph Northam's coronavirus pandemic protocols.
The move comes after Spotsylvania County Circuit Court Judge Richard Rigual in March ruled in favor of the restaurant after the stated tried to shut it down for defying Northam's Executive order which, among other things, ordered restaurants to operate at 50% capacity, prevent anyone from bellying up to the bar, and to require customers and employees wear masks.
Gourmeltz, the diner known for its oversized grilled cheese sandwiches, defied the governor during the duration of the pandemic. Northam lifted the mask mandate for unvaccinated people on May 15 and all remaining coronavirus restrictions on May 28.
At a press conference held at the Gourmeltz restaurant today, owner Matt Strickland, his wife Maria, and their attorney former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, of Georgia, now the head of Liberty Guard, said the restaurant's health department license would soon be restored.
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