restaraunt and bar react to restrictions

They likely won't survive the new restrictions.

Abc 36's bobbi mcswine spoke with two owners who say they're worried about the future.

"these folks just can't be without work, especially before the holidays."

Dudley's on short owner debbie long says her restaurant in downtown lexington closed for two and a half months in march...and let all of its employees go.

They've been back a while now...but she says the new restrictions will have a huge impact.

Debbie long: "we were just kinda getting over the hump, now we're back at zero again."

Long says she understands governor andy beshear had to make tough decisions...but lumping restaurants and bars together isn't fair.

Debbie long: "we're two different business models.

I think we've taken kinda a litle bit of the hit on that."

Long says when you go to a restaurant...you usually stick with your own group...allowing social distancing...and making it easier to keep masks on when moving around.

Whiskey bear co- owner daniel marlowe says there's blame on both sides.

Daniel marlowe: "i know of plenty of bars and restaurants that have been really lax on their enforcement of social distancing and how they space out their tables, and that's hurt all of us."

Similar to long...marlowe closed his doors for months during the pandemic.

Daniel marlowe: "a lot of people have lost a lot more than just businesses, so we wanna do whatever's necessary to get on the other side of this, and to keep our community safe."

Marlowe admits...it'll be a challenge.

He...and long...say it was easier to manage when it was warm out...but now the push to support local businesses has to be greater.

Daniel marlowe: "i really hope people will continue to do everything they can to support the small, local businesses because we really need it."

Both own heated seating...more curbside and delivery...and whatever else they can to stay afloat.

In lexington...bobbi mcswine...abc 36 news.