Red Barn in Palm Desert may have its liquor license revoked for defying state orders
The Red Barn of Palm Desert is in hot water after its owner said they would reopen this weekend.
Friday afternoon, John Labrono, owner of the Red Barn, said that three members of the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control went into the bar and served him papers saying he is currently allowing people inside.
The ABC agents indicated that if Labrano doesn't close the Red Barn to dine-in customers and on-site consumption, the business' liquor license could be revoked. The Red Barn could only allow curbside pick-up and take-out, and other conditions.
The Red Barn has been closed since March after Governor Gavin Newsom issued statewide stay-at-home orders.
Labrano has been very vocal in his feelings against the stay-at-home orders. Earlier this week, signs reading "Suck My Governor" and "Save a job, hang a politician" went viral on social media and garnered both support and backlash.
"All I want to do is run my business. Leave me alone, let me operate my business and move on. I don’t need the state’s help," Labrano told News Channel 3.
Palm Desert officials said while they were disappointed the message was so negative, they considered the message free speech.
Full Details: Palm Desert bar displays controversial message aimed at politicians
Labrano told News Channel 3's Shelby Nelson that he planned on reopening this weekend, despite a state order to keep bars closed.
"It's time to open, it's time to uh, I got to run my business. I got to take care of my family," Labrano said.
Labrano plans to have live music and a DJ, like they used to, however, not everything would be the same.
"I think that if you own a business and you want to be open then you got to be responsible and masks will be optional, and I'm going to have somebody full time so that when you come into the door they're going to ask you to go to the men's or ladies room to wash your hands and she'll be going through the bar," Labrano said.
Even before the ABC agents came by, Labrano voiced his frustrations, saying he's been stripped of his civil liberties to run his business.
"I think it's an unbelievable precedent that a governor has this much control over its people and its state that he's going to force 100,000 businesses to go out of business that will never open again," Labrano said.
As of Friday afternoon, it's unclear whether the Red Barn will open back up.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
