Restaurant’s standoff with AHS fizzles out
By ALEX McCUAIG Special to the News on May 12, 2021.
A sign posted outside J-Rocks Bar and Grill states the restaurant is providing, "take-out only until further discretions," after AHS revoked its food licence for not following public health restrictions.--NEWS PHOTO ALEX MCCUAIGThe spring came in like a lion and out like a lamb for a Medicine Hat restaurateur who defied public health restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Take-out only until further discretions,” reads a sign posted on the entrance of J-Rocks Bar and Grill located on Box Springs Boulevard, with its glass doors covered by garbage bags and with its blinds down on Tuesday afternoon.
Owner Jayson Borthwick opened the restaurant in late February with a vow to continue to operate without following provincial health restrictions.
Following several warnings by Alberta Health Services, Borthwick’s food-serving licence was pulled Monday.
In a statement from the health service on Tuesday, AHS said the move was “in response to ongoing blatant noncompliance with Alberta’s chief medical officer of health’s restrictions and also requirements under Alberta’s Public Health Act.”
The defiance of the restaurant peaked last month with Borthwick hosting a large protest outside J-Rocks, which featured a controversial anti-lockdown advocate from Ontario.
It petered out quietly without even a social media post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, which had featured no shortage of bravado against public health restrictions in the weeks leading up to its closing for in-person dining.
This isn’t the first time Borthwick has run afoul of regulations governing businesses.
In December, the city issued a safety warning regarding his former business venture, Water World Hot Tubs, asking those who had a pool, spa or hot tub installed by the company to have it inspected.
A corporate registry search revealed the business had been suspended due to failure to file corporate returns.
Finally! About time AHS.