Rum Runners liquor store in Grimshaw has been receiving lots of attention in the region and online after putting a sign in their store to remind those entering, they will not tolerate non-mask wearers.
Rum Runners owner Chance Gerk says before the sign was put up in the store, over half of the customers were not complying with the province’s mask mandate. “We were being sworn at and being told we are violating people’s human rights… it was weighing on us pretty heavy.” Gerk says they have been attacked online by people across the country from a Facebook post of the signage they put up in the store.
Photo supplied by Rum Runners Facebook post
Gerk believes his employees should not have to put up with customers attacking them for following rules. “If people don’t want to wear a mask for a long amount of time, you can order ahead, we timed it and you can be in and out within 17 seconds.” Gerk says the store hasn’t been affected because of the pandemic and the mask mandate, but rather seeing more customers supporting his decision when they come in after seeing the Facebook post.
Gerk noted for every negative review or comment they received, there are at least three good ones to counteract. “I encourage more businesses to enforce the rules the province has put in place.” Gerk says the more people that defy the public health restrictions, the longer it’s going to last.
The enforcement of people not complying with public health restrictions is what Gerk is most concerned with. “People are not going to stop if there’s no enforcement. I know it’s incredibly difficult in small towns, but a little more should be done at the provincial level.”
Rum Runner’s post on Facebook as of May 10, 2021 has over 1,100 likes and 300 shares.
-Erika Rolling, Trending 5 Newsroom
