Local bars are taking advantage of the newly released guidelines from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. It allows for them to reopen under limited circumstances.
Under the current executive order from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, bars have been shut down for an indefinite period in order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
"These weren't plans of ours but we got to do it, we're not going to go down without a fight," Cale Moor, co-owner of Nueces Brewing Co said.
Moor's new plans included a new kitchen, with the hopes of being approved to reopen under the TABC guidelines.
"It's going to be great, Moor said. "It's going to be great to see people again. It's going to be great to have the feeling, the heartbeat that goes on in here when people are here and we see the smiling faces. And honestly, the food is amazing and everyone's going to be happy they're here."
The new guidelines released from the TABC include two options for bar owners:
- Fill out a form to prove the business has made less than 51-percent of their sales in alcohol since April 1.
- Apply for a Food and Beverage Certificate.
"We did whatever we had to do and we realized if we built out a kitchen and became a legit restaurant, that we'd be able to open and at least put 50-percent capacity in this place," Moor said.
Nueces Brewing Co. began making barbecue a few months ago to help assist with the financial struggle, but Moor said the business wasn't built to sustain an empty space and curbside pick-up wouldn't have been enough to keep them afloat.
"It's been a complete hustle to get where we're at but we just got to keep going," Moor said.
The brewing company wasn't the only local bar to change their classification. The House of Rock received their Food and Beverage Certificate on August 5.
"The kitchen has really saved us when live music is something that's not happening right now," Stephanie Garcia, the Marketing and Public Relations officer for House of Rock said.
Until the business received their new license, they were serving food but were still classified as a bar and music venue.
With their newly approved certificates, both the House of Rock and Nueces Brewing Co. hope to bridge the financial gap they've been facing.
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