By Dillon Rosenblatt | Arizona Capitol Times
Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order today that would halt evictions until May 31 for small businesses and nonprofits unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The order is similar in tone to Ducey’s order barring evictions for residential areas. It also encourages commercial landlords to defer rent payments for tenants and considers waiving all fees and interest associated with late payments.
Related: Ducey Won’t Release Nonviolent Offenders, Ignores Recommendations for Clemency
The coronavirus was gutting small businesses in Arizona and beyond, and one local chef was trying her best to make sure the restaurant industry was able to remain intact for as long as possible.
Danielle Leoni, who co-owns The Breadfruit & Rum Bar in downtown Phoenix, has been hit hard from COVID-19. Her restaurant was one of the first ones to close due to the unsustainable nature of take-out or drive-thru-only operations under one of Ducey’s executive orders to prevent spread of the virus.
Leoni took it upon herself to help form a small restaurant coalition with its main goal to bar evictions for restaurant owners in the state. She said there are now more than 1,200 restaurants who are part of the group and they kept trying to get a response from Ducey or his staff to lend a helping hand. Legendary spots like Durant’s and Chicago Hamburger Company are some of the restaurants to hop on board.
“I’m not asking [Ducey] for money, I’m just asking him to not cost me more money. That has been our angle,” she said.
“Governor Ducey is allowing small businesses time to pay rent and wisely requires that if they receive governmental assistance that assistance needs to be used for rent. This gives the small business the ability to “breathe” at least until May 31st. ” ~ Jordan Rose, Founder of Rose Law Group
