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Kennedy's Irish Pub in Waterford reacts to news in-door dining may be allowed Feb. 1

Posted at 6:57 PM, Jan 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-13 18:57:04-05

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Michigan (WXYZ) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says that if all goes as planned restaurants will be able to offer indoor dining starting Feb. 1. It is the second bit of good news in recent days at Kennedy’s Irish Pub in Waterford Township. The restaurant is getting national attention as people try to save it to preserve almost five decades of tradition.

In 49 years of business, Kennedy’s Irish Pub on M-59 in Waterford Township never experienced a hardship like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To think you could lose something you have been with for this many years, you could lose something that quickly, within a year’s time, it could be swept away and it is your whole life,” said Erin Meilak, co-owner.

Her son recently made a video and sent it to Barstool Sports, hoping for help. The online blog has been featuring businesses around the country raising money to help them get through the pandemic. A few days ago it featured Kennedy’s.

“It got our fuel-burning again and gave us the lift-up we needed to say, we are going to make it through this," Meilak said. "I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Because it does take a toll on you. You don’t realize it and move on."

The business has been offering carryout but is banned under state orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from offering indoor dining. Sales just aren’t as high doing business this way.

“You have no control what is happening. And nobody does really. Not the governor,” Meilak said.

She says while the pandemic will impact business no matter what, she does want the governor to lift the ban on indoor dining. The governor announced Wednesday restaurants will likely be allowed to reopen for indoor dining on February first with restrictions.

“I am fine with restrictions just let us get back open please,” Meilak said.

The governor warned that the plan to open come February is contingent on rates decreasing and the COVID-19 variant spreading quickly in places such as the United Kingdom not hitting hard here.

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