Bradenton’s mask ordinance takes effect. Some businesses are doing more than required
Bradenton’s emergency ordinance requiring businesses to post signs recommending that customers wear face masks went into effect on Friday. Most businesses seem to be complying.
Several of the businesses visited by the Herald went beyond the city’s requirement.
“I don’t want them to come in without a mask,” said Theo Cajoleas, who owns What A Find! Consignment and Thrift, 5231 Manatee Ave. W., with his wife, Sheryl.
In fact, Cajoleas insists customers wear masks if they want to enter the store out of concern for his underlying health conditions.
With the increasing severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheryl Cajoleas said that no customer has raised an objection to the store’s mask rule.
“We haven’t had anyone give us a hard time. If they don’t have a mask, we can supply them with one,” she said.
About a half dozen customers were in the store, all wearing masks, and looking for bargains Friday in What A Find’s going-out-of-business sale.
Charley’s Boutique, 5761 Manatee Ave. W., had a sign on the front door suggesting customers wear a mask..
Managers Allie Clements and Sammy Hyatt said most customers have already been coming into the store wearing masks. The managers said the strong suggestion that customers wear a mask has not caused any problems.
“We have a box of masks down there in case they come to the store without one,” Hyatt said.
The city’s new ordinance hasn’t caused any problems at Tyton Comics, 306 12th St. W., owner Ty Harris said.
In fact, when the governor partially lifted his retail business lock down, Tyton Comics, and Classic Ink, which share the same space, immediately implemented a rule requiring customers to wear a face mask.
“We really don’t have any issue at all. We are just trying to keep everybody safe,” Harris said.
The sign on the door at Tyton Comics and Classic Ink reads: ”Attention. Mask required upon entrance. Zero exceptions.”
The Bradenton City Council emergency ordinance doesn’t mandate face coverings, but businesses that don’t post the signs can be fined.
Palmetto city commissioners are expected to vote on a face mask ordinance similar to Bradenton’s on Monday.
It has been a watershed week for face masks as COVID-19 cases have made Florida a hot spot for the disease. Retail stores that have announced a change in policy to require customers to wear face masks in their stores include Publix, starting Tuesday, and Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens, starting Monday. Target will implement a policy requiring customers to wear masks on Aug. 1.
Barnes & Noble opened a new 14,000-square-foot store at 200 N. Cattlemen Road in the University Town Center district on June 17 and required customers to wear a mask to enter.
The Herald on Friday asked Winn Dixie, Aldi and Detwiler’s Farm Market about whether they have any plans to implement a requirement for customers to wear a mask.
Aldi’s said customers at its stores would have to wear masks starting July 27.
Detwiler’s did not immediately respond. Previously, Detwiler’s has said that it is following CDC guidelines and “will follow any local government guidelines when and if released.”
Joe Caldwell, director, corporate communications and government affairs for Southeast Grocers, parent company of Winn Dixie, said in an email that the grocer does not require customers to wear a mask.
“At Southeastern Grocers, we put our people and our customers at the heart of every decision we make, and their safety has been at the forefront of our response since the COVID pandemic began,” Caldwell said.
“Currently, we are adhering to all local safety mandates within each of our stores and strongly encouraging those who are medically able to wear a face covering to do so. We do not want to cause undue friction between our customers and associates by regulating mask mandates, and we strongly encourage state officials to lead the way in regulating these type of safety mandates,” he said.
“We are always listening to our communities, and as the number of COVID cases rise, we are actively evaluating our policies so that every reasonable precaution is made to protect the health and safety of our people and our customers,” Caldwell said.
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 4:13 PM.
