HOUSTON, Texas — For the first time in months, Two Mules Tavern is opening its bar Friday night.
Not for business, but for its employees.
Not the way owner Brad Mayfield would like to, but it’s a start.
“It’s just solidarity with all of the other bars in Texas that are tired of being on the sidelines and tired of being told we’re not essential," Mayfield said.
Bars turned on their lights and music Friday night, allowing only employees inside to practice new measures for a safe re-opening – whenever that happens.
“We wanted to show people—and this is what it’s really about—we wanted to show people that we can operate a bar in a safe environment for our customers and our employees," said Darren Van Delden with Union Venture Group.
Van Delden co-owns several bars in Texas, including Jack and Ginger’s Irish Pub and 77 Degrees here in Houston. Some of his bars participated in Friday night's "soft opening."
“It’s time for us to turn on the lights. It’s time for us to get back to work," Van Delden said.
But for now, all they can do is wait for the green light to open.
“If we implement those guidelines, we can also maintain a safe environment just like restaurants and grocery stores can," Van Delden said.
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