BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Bars across the state closed following an executive order on June 26 from the governor because of a spike in COVID-19 cases.

George and Dragon English Tavern in Cocoa Village had its alcohol license suspended after the state citied they were not complying with the executive order. Under that order, businesses that make more than 50 percent of their revenue selling alcohol must stop selling alcohol.

On Friday, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) met with local brew house owners and bar owners in Brevard County to give them a forum to speak about what needs to happen in order for bars to re-open.

Business owners like Michael Saunders from George and Dragon English Tavern in Cocoa village says at first he was skeptical about the meeting but says it changed once the state asked business owners like him to submit ideas on how they are planning on re-opening safely.

“Basically they told us, ‘We are all in this together, let's come up with some ideas. We don't have the answers because if we did have the answers you guys would be open right now.’ Basically, they want us to brain storm and come up with ideas because every bar is different,” he says.

Saunders says his idea is to limit inside capacity to 25 percent and have all outdoor seating six feet apart.

“They are supposed to have a big meeting on Monday and then they are supposed to notify us by the end of the week, getting all the ideas from all these places and once everyone emails. Them then they are supposed to come up with a plan,” he adds.

SUNDAY MEETING HELD IN ORLANDO

DBPR leaders met with stakeholders and bar owners Sunday in Orlando to discuss safe, effective ways of reopening.

One of the topics that came up is what bar owners are calling a double standard.

Lawmakers like state Rep. Anna Eskamani spoke to that.

“I think one of the biggest frustrations for our small business owners is that restaurants can be open right now with a bar, but if you don’t have a food license, you can’t be open,” said Eskamani.

Eskamani went to Orange County’s meeting with DBPR.

She says that was addressed, but, "At this point, getting a food license does seem like one of the only pathways to open up right now. But I think there was consensus that it’s not a long term solution. She said, "We need long term solutions to help our small businesses.”

Whether that’s more outdoor seating, better safety enforcements, and/or more widespread mask mandates, bar owner John Washburn says something has to give, and soon.

“You’re seeing total devastation in the bar industry, I mean all throughout the United States,” said Washburn. “But in Central Florida, it’s just being devastated.”