Cranston City Council passes resolution to urge the state to stop restricting hours for businesses

A similar resolution passed in Smithfield earlier in the week, and another one is expected to pass in North Providence next week.

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) – The Cranston City Council is urging the state to adjust guidelines currently in place that they argue are hurting small businesses, after passing a resolution on the issue at a special meeting Thursday night

The resolution is mostly aimed at operating hours for restaurants. It’s a move a handful of municipalities are now taking in the hopes of saving these small businesses. A similar resolution passed in Smithfield earlier in the week, and another one is expected to pass in North Providence next week.

“What is the problem with them staying open during their hours when they’re abiding by the rules?” said City Councilor Jessica Marino.

Under the current guidelines, restaurants have been closing down by 10 P.M. during the week, and 10:30 P.M. on the weekends, since before Thanksgiving and the state pause, but haven’t received anymore funding to supplement the money lost during those hours.

“The state stepped up. They gave us some funding to get us through those times,” said City Councilor Ed Brady, who is also Owner of the Thirsty Beaver. “But unfortunately throughout this process as the pause extended, they stopped being responsive.”

The resolution says that if operating hours cannot be adjusted, then the businesses will need another round of state funding.

“Trying to get them to get in and get out, serve them by 10 o’clock, and you got to be out of here by 10:30. It’s causing a problem!” said the Owner at Twin Oaks, Susan DeAngelus.

Cranston’s resolution passed with the support of the Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins. He is the first mayor in Rhode Island to support such a measure.

“If we don’t do something pretty soon, we’re going to lose the base of our community and our neighborhoods, which is our small business population,” said Hopkins.

Senator Frank Lombardi also offered his support. He is planning to file a resolution in the senate to pull back on state regulations as a whole.

“For instance, I can walk into one of my local establishments, and sit at a table that is at or near a bar area, and get served everything that I want, but you can’t sit at the bar area,” said Senator Lombardi. “Irrespective of the fact that the thousands of dollars that these places have spent on plexiglass, and segregated booths at the bar.”

Mayor Hopkins said Thursday night that he knows Lt. Governor Dan McKee, who will soon take over as governor, supports these resolutions, but his office has not responded to ABC 6’s request for comment.

Governor Raimondo’s office also did not respond to our request for comment.