Businesses that refuse to close could face license suspension

Any business that refuses to comply with Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order could have its licenses suspended, according to the Washington State Department of Licensing.

DOL spokesperson Christine Anthony told KIRO 7 Monday that 1,400 non-compliance complaints have been filed with the state agency since the stay-at-home order was announced. When a business is reported, the DOL sends a letter requesting compliance.

According to Anthony, the DOL recently received a formal complaint regarding Stag Barber and Styling of Snohomish. Its owner, Bob Martin, told KIRO 7 that keeping his long-time shop open is about more than just defiance of a state order meant to prevent the spread of COVID -19. “It’s our constitutional right to do what we’re doing and maintain a livelihood, and they don’t have the authority to take that away from us,” Martin said.

During a media conference call Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee's chief of staff, David Postman, said in response to Martin's defiance, “Don’t do this. It’s not in anybody’s interest.” added that Martin, or any business owner who refuses to close their shops, could cause “people to get sick.” “Some of those people could infect people who could die,” Postman said. He also added that “it’s against the law” to remain open.

When the DOL receives a complaint, Anthony said the first step is to send the business owner a warning letter asking the business to close.

If unheeded, step two is to contact the owner in- person or with a phone call.

According to Postman, step three is that the business “could lose their license or have their license suspended.”

“If they continue to try and do it after that, then the attorney general has the authority to come in and take the case to court. It’s possible you could have civil, even criminal penalties,” Postman explained Monday.

The DOL and the governor’s office stated they are hoping for voluntary compliance from all business owners.

But Martin told KIRO 7 over the weekend that staying open is not just about the money. It’s about sending a message. “They’ve gone way too far already,” Martin said.

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