Local bar faces another shutdown, owner says future is uncertain

Now that Butte County is back in the purple tier, bars that have just reopened must once again close their doors.

Now that butte county is back in the purple tier... bars that have just-reopened must once again shut down.

New at 5 -- action news now reporter kristian lopez shows us what this blow means for one local business's survival.

Kristian: doug roberts, owner of duffy's tavern here in downtown chico says he has been staying optimistic during the constantly changing restrictions but for the first time he is questioning whether or not his business will make it through this.

Nats turning off lights shutting down the juke box and turning off the lights.

Could this be the last time doug roberts does this at his bar?

Doug roberts/owner of duffy's tavern: i guess we are getting used to it.

Nothing is suprising anymore.

I thought we would get through this no problem but now im starting to wonder when you add it all up, you could take that money and start another business.

Kristian: roberts says he was looking forward to thanksgiving weekend because its one of their busiest times of the year, but instead his business is closed and he is left wondering what comes next.

Doug roberts: next week is historically like our best week of the year so its hard closing going into christmas and thanksgiving, we are usually really busy so to close on the edge of that does not feel good.

Kristian:roberts says the hardest part is trying to plan ahead while not knowing what comes next.

Doug roberts: its pretty serious i have a lot of respect for businesses that did their best to adapt and try to open with the different restrictions but to have to close again i dont know when we will be able to open back up, its a big question mark we have to take it weekly or monthly.

Things will be different when we open.

Kristian: reporting in chico kl action news now coverage you can count on.

Roberts says the ppp loan helped them get by for the majority of the time they have been closed.

The bar had 20 employees before the pandemic, they were down to 4.

But now they will all have to be laid