La Salle business received cease and desist notice due to ‘dine-in service’

A La Salle small business was issued a cease and desist notice from the city of La Salle.

Rawfully Yours juice bar and cafe received an envelope this week, which included a cease and desist note from the city, as well as one from Illinois State Police, both issued Monday.

The cease and desist letter from the city reads:

“Please be advised that your establishment is required to suspend all on-premises dine-in service immediately as a result of this Executive Order (Gov. JB Pritzker's’s executive stay-at-home order).”

“Your failure to comply with this Executive Order may result in one or all of the following: (1) the rescission of licenses necessary to operate your business, (2) an order of closure issued by the state or local health department, or (3) civil and/or criminal liability.”

“We’re offering dining-in, It’s a peaceful, healthy, comfortable environment,” said business owner Sandy Hoos.

The city’s economic development director Leah Inman told the NewsTribune: “The city felt it was in the best interest of its citizens and fellow business owners to acknowledge the direct disregard of the governor's orders regarding on-site food consumption. Carryout and delivery service is allowed and encouraged during this time from restaurants and cafes, but on-site consumption is not allowed.”

Mayor Jeff Grove confirmed the business was issued a cease and desist notice, and he said the city has contacted the La Salle County Health Department.

Rawfully Yours is a “healthy & nutritious cafe providing organic whole-food meals, cold-pressed juices and smoothies, desserts, snacks and wheatgrass shots,” the business describes itself on its Facebook page.

The business is considered an essential business and has continued to serve curbside, delivery and takeout. They started offering dine-in services on Mother’s Day, May 10, Sandy Hoos said.

“It’s our legal opinion, that they’re fine to be open,” said Kristen A. McDaniel, an attorney representing Sandy and Jeff Hoos. McDaniel is working with attorney William Hotopp.

“We don’t think at this point they’re violating any law, and until they are, they can remain open,” McDaniel said.

“We want other businesses to know this is happening,” McDaniel said, mentioning other businesses are operating in violation of the governor’s orders, they’re just not publicizing it.

The Hoos said they plan to continue offering dine-in services.

“The public wants it and is demanding it,” Sandy Hoos said, mentioning they’ve had customers travel hours to support the business.

The business has been and continues to constantly sanitize the cafe, Sandy Hoos said.

McDaniel said she doesn’t see a difference for a client of her own business to sit down for an hour at her office compared to a customer of the Hoos’ to sit down at their cafe eating.

“I do serve my clients coffee. They can have water,” McDaniel said.

“This is tyranny,” Jeff Hoos said, talking about Gov. JB’s Pritzker saying he may hold back federal funding for counties not following stay-at-home orders.

Sandy Hoos said masks are not mandatory at their business, but she does not condemn those who wear masks.

“It’s a breeding ground for bacteria, and bacteria causes infection,” Sandy Hoos said, mentioning that wearing a mask can compromise an immune system.

Six-foot distancing is not mandatory in their cafe, either, because of research she’s looked into, she said. The CDC still recommends social distancing at least six fee from other people to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Hoos said they put in their life savings to create this business, and they estimate their revenue stream is down about 80% than normal while the stay-at-home order continues.

Sandy Hoos said they are being accused of wanting to open up their business because they’re greedy, but she said their actions don’t have to do with money — she said their actions have to do with saving lives and saving the community.

“We should protect the vulnerable, but we cannot destroy the masses,” Jeff Hoos said. “I believe our governor is not protecting the vulnerable, and he is economically destroying the masses.”