Monstrosity Burger owners face monster fine over pandemic restrictions

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This article was published 11/01/2022 (1079 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Days after Monstrosity Burger touted on social media how customers had “cleaned us out” of food, the province has confirmed the restaurant’s owners are now facing a monstrous fine of up to $1 million for repeated alleged breaches of pandemic restrictions.

The Corydon Avenue burger restaurant, and the adjoining Tuxedo Village Family Restaurant, which is run by the same owners, have been hit with seven counts of violating the Public Health Act, according to the province’s latest enforcement update.

According to court documents, the offences are alleged to have occurred Nov. 24-26. They include three counts each of failing to restrict admission to customers who can provide proof of vaccination and failing to remind customers to wear a mask when required, and one count of failing to ensure anyone arriving for a takeout order is able to maintain a two-metre distance from customers.

A woman who identified herself on the phone as a manager at Monstrosity Burger declined to speak to a reporter Wednesday afternoon. “We’re not interested in speaking with anybody,” the woman said. “Have a great day, OK.”

Court documents show the charges were sworn Dec. 24 but appear to have had no immediate impact on business. In a message posted to Monstrosity Burger’s Facebook page on Sunday, the restaurant said it would have to close for a day to re-stock after customers “cleaned us out” of food.

“What a weekend!” the post said. “We’re overwhelmed with emotion from your on-going (sic) support! It continues to be an amazing ride! So many old friends and so many new friends.”

The post generated dozens of messages from customers praising the restaurant and its “stand for freedom.”

“I hope other businesses are paying attention and are learning a thing or two from you,” said one customer.

News of the charges comes at a time when many city restaurants have chosen to close temporarily or permanently in the face of the Omicron variant.

Last fall, Monstrosity Burger and Tuxedo Village Family Restaurant owners Dave Jones and Paulina Jojnowicz were hit with eight tickets totaling $40,000 for allowing unvaccinated and unmasked patrons to eat inside their restaurants.

The couple vowed to fight the tickets in court. In an Instagram post at the time, they decried a decision by provincial health enforcement temporarily restricting the restaurants to takeout and delivery-only as “corruption at the highest level.”

In an Instagram message posted Tuesday and attached to a picture of Adolf Hitler, Monstrosity Burger urged followers to ignore the government’s “freedom-stealing mandates.”

“You who comply are the reason for these restrictions and lockdowns!” the restaurant wrote in all-caps. “…Stand up against them.”

The first court date for the restaurant is Jan. 26.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca