Arkansas restaurant fight over social distancing makes national news
STATE NEWS
including payroll for The Edge, meaning that everyone employed by the business is at risk of losing their jobs.
Day said it is not his intention to run the place out of business. He wants to work with Holliday’s partners in the operation to ensure that the coffeehouse stays open. He also said that he was unaware if Holliday’s arrest would impact the company’s liquor license, but also said that the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control department is aware of Holliday’s arrest.
As of Wednesday afternoon, neither The Edge managers nor Holliday had responded to The Sun’s requests for comment.
For legal reasons, Day was also limited on what he was able to share, but said that he wants to pursue all options that keep Edge employees paid and keep the local business in town.
Jonesboro City Councilwoman Ann Williams previously owned the coffee shop.
Holliday began pursuing the liquor license and hired Brian Nobles in August of 2019.
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LITTLE ROCK — The rules of social distancing amid the coronavirus health crisis sparked a wild brawl at an Arkansas restaurant last week. The news made it all the way to FOX News and the New York Post.
The fight broke out at Saltgrass Steak House in Little Rock on Saturday night over the matter.
According to a police report from the Little Rock Police Department, a woman wearing a face mask told two other patrons – who were not wearing masks – that they were too close for comfort.
“You’re supposed to be 6 feet away from me!” the woman exclaimed, in nowviral video footage that has since received over 96,000 views on Twitter.
An argument ensued, and a man wearing a USA shirt walked over to the bar, where the mask-wearing woman and her boyfriend were seated. The situation escalated when the man in the USA shirt got even closer to the woman and her boyfriend, per the police report.
“The guy came up and was touching on his back and giving him a little shove and he just wasn’t taking it and that’s when it all started,” witness Seth Crews told the outlet.
As seen in the video footage, the woman’s boyfriend appeared to throw a bottle, and a brawl ensued.
“All the restaurant employees were trying to help, they were just in shock like the rest of us,” Crews said.
He added that his brother got involved, and tried to break the fight up.
According to the outlet, no one involved in the fight has yet filed any charges, the county prosecutor said.
Bars in Arkansas were allowed to reopen for business on May 26, albeit with seating restricted to 33 percent of the total capacity for indoor and outdoor dining spaces. COVID-19 numbers have increased dramatically in the state over the past month, which officials say is due to increased testing and not the loosening of restrictions.
