Two Brothers from Italy Pizza in Big Pine closed under Temporary Restraining Order Over COVID-19 Violations

[Press Release from Inyo County | August 12, 2020]

(Response on action from Two Brothers on Facebook, after the IC Press Release)

Inyo County Superior Court Judge, The Hon. Stephen M. Place, approved Temporary Restraining Order on Two Brothers from Italy Restaurant in Big Pine, Calif. as requested by the Inyo County Health Department

Inyo County Forced To Get Restraining Order against Non-Compliant Restaurant

INYO COUNTY, CA, August 12, 2020 – Today, Inyo County obtained a judicial restraining order against Two Brothers From Italy (Big Pine, CA) prohibiting them from continuing to violate the state and local COVID-19 health orders.  The County was forced to commence this action after multiple failed attempts to gain Two Brothers’ voluntary compliance.

As stated in the County’s request “It is with great regret that Inyo County filed this lawsuit and sought this temporary restraining order.  The County understands that these are difficult times for all businesses, and the last thing that the County wants to do is impose additional expenses or stress on business owners.  However, the County—and in particular, its Health Officer Dr. James Richardson—are also charged with protecting the public from the dangers of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19.”

Two Brothers must suspend their operations,  create, and adhere to, a business operations plan and comply with County Health Orders for COVID-19 protections.

Today’s court order means that Two Brothers must suspend their operations until they are able to create, and adhere to, a business operations plan ensuring that they will no longer maintain an environment with such a high risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Inyo County recognizes that the vast majority of our businesses, residents, and visitors are adhering to the public health orders and we THANK YOU for that effort.  Our continued collective efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 are essential to keep our businesses open and our communities healthy.  We are all in this together. ###END###

Two Brothers from Italy, Big Pine, responded to the action by posting on their Facebook Page the following:

Well as you all know me and Gio have been placed on a court ordered vacation, 10 to 22 days????????????. And please do not worry about me and Gio and the kids with are totally good????????????. Long story short we Really want to thank you all for your support. We started our business in the shoulder season and never had a tourist season, it was all you locals that kept us in business for almost a year ( A year wow we almost made it a year ) But thank You all for your support it means the world to me and Gio and the kids. You all have become a part of our family over this crazy short year and will always be a part of our Family????????????

 

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41 Comments
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gabriel
gabriel
2 years ago

catching up on the scuttlebutt. I’ve been scratching my head about the 2 bros pizza joint for several months. I’ll never understand why a relatively new business owner would chose to obstruct the county health department regulations to protect the population, their business base/clientele, from dangerous infectious agents. They had… Read more »

Josh d
Josh d
2 years ago

When Civil WAR breaks out, itll be the pro-Mask (Karen/Kens)against the freedom loving americans

Dee
Dee
2 years ago
Reply to  Josh d

That’s some unhinged hyperbolic nonsense BS. And, of course, a flat out lie to somehow claim people who choose to follow coherent public health and safety measures during a global pandemic are not freedom loving Americans. Cheap intellectually bankrupt and very weak attempt to insult others and use that flat… Read more »

Stop non-essential travel
Stop non-essential travel
2 years ago
Reply to  Josh d

that’s a shameful analogy dude. you’re really comparing wearing a mask to slavery?

Tinner
Tinner
2 years ago

Not so sure how helpful a FB photo of a young child with his face six inches away from a pizza he is making is helpful to a business either. With or without the covid19 pandemic. Just saying.

Inyo K
Inyo K
2 years ago
Reply to  Tinner

Yeah, their view of health codes in general seems to be lacking.

David Dennison
David Dennison
2 years ago

JEFF WILLIS If people want to run a restaurant and don’t want to obey health and safety codes,and probably in this case,partly making a political statement,maybe they should choose a different line of work that won’t put others in danger. Maybe go by Home Depot,purchase a lawn mower and a… Read more »

Harold
Harold
2 years ago

How about just follow the simple, clear rules like the rest of us. Then they’d still be open, making that rent money. Duh.

Debbie
Debbie
2 years ago

I’d like to know what violations were committed. We need ALL of our local business. Shutting people down will not server our communities. It’s just wrong. I’d bet nobody has gotten sick there. Let’s support people and not hurt them.

JEFF WILLIS
JEFF WILLIS
2 years ago

These small businesses are just trying to survive. If you don’t want to eat there, then don’t BUT the county should not drive people into poverty and destroy their livelihood. Can anyone explain ho they will feed their families, pay the rent, keep the lifts on? The cure is worse… Read more »

Stop non-essential travel
Stop non-essential travel
2 years ago
Reply to  JEFF WILLIS

Hey Jeff Willis, set the drama aside and read Mr. Callahan’s response; he and his family are totally good and they are closing for 10-22 days. his words. Inyo County isn’t driving anyone into poverty or destroying their livelihood. The anti-maskers have created this mess.

Tinner
Tinner
2 years ago

Stop non-essential travel, let’s be real, it’s a heck of a lot more than solely “the anti-maskers” that have created this mess, a HECK of a lot more!

Stop non-essential travel
Stop non-essential travel
2 years ago
Reply to  Tinner

excellent point, agree !

FishinDay395
FishinDay395
2 years ago
Reply to  JEFF WILLIS

These people can spin this anyway they want but the fact is the owners put themselves in this situation. The county doesn’t want to to shut any business down but the owners in this case have showed blatant disregard for our communities health and well being. The county was finally… Read more »

Tinner
Tinner
2 years ago

Based on my recent observation of restaurant workers there are a lot of restaurants that could be and maybe should be facing legal action during this covid19 pandemic. Health and Safety can’t babysit restaurant workers all day, I understand that, but you would think that the small restaurant owners themselves… Read more »

Charles O. Jones
Charles O. Jones
2 years ago

From the various responses on Sierra Wave and the numerous locals I’ve spoken with, I think the owners have grossly misjudged the Eastside community. it would appear a whole lot of folks out there have no intention of ever dining at this joint. Surviving in the restaurant business is difficult… Read more »

Mono Person
Mono Person
2 years ago

Stay strong 2 Brothers!!! You have your silent majority…

Inyo K
Inyo K
2 years ago
Reply to  Mono Person

Ah yes, the “silent majority” a term popularized by Nixon to cover his fraud…

JEFF WILLIS
JEFF WILLIS
2 years ago
Reply to  Inyo K

Ummmm. Maybe you should check your facts as to the term ‘silent majority.’ His usage referred to those Americans who did not join in the large demonstrations against the Vietnam War at the time, who did not join in the counterculture, and who did not participate in public discourse. Nixon,… Read more »

Low
Low
2 years ago
Reply to  Mono Person

Judging by your upvotes vs downvotes, I’d say it’s not a majority at all.

Mono Person
Mono Person
2 years ago
Reply to  Low

What part of “silent” did you not understand? They are not commenting on this news story, because they don’t want their businesses targeted by the people that are commenting. So sad…

Dee
Dee
2 years ago
Reply to  Mono Person

It’s a very vocal minority.

Inyo Arabians
Inyo Arabians
2 years ago

What is he on, saying “we never had a tourist season?” We’re overrun with tourists and have been since May. Every other restaurant in the county is trying to comply and keep their staff and customers safe. Some restaurants are doing great business at the moment. This is not about… Read more »

Muskrat
Muskrat
2 years ago
Reply to  Inyo Arabians

Yup, thanks for pointing this out. They appeared to have plenty of tourists in there when I would go. I’m one of the locals that was supporting this business, but not anymore!

BobK
BobK
2 years ago

I’d like to know, if possible, how many people tested positive after eating at this business…Just curious

Thanks for timely reporting
Thanks for timely reporting
2 years ago
Reply to  BobK

Thank you Charles James, for keeping us informed- especially on this issue which had the potential to effect (or infect!) Us. We appreciate your dedication and professionalism

WhatHasOurWorldBecome
WhatHasOurWorldBecome
2 years ago

No, nobody’s been “infected”…

Inyo Citizen
Inyo Citizen
2 years ago
Reply to  BobK

BobK – Looks like you’re suggesting the County should wait until there are actually positive cases before taking enforcement actions instead of preventing the infections in the first place..? I suggest you ask the bishop care center folks and family members if that’s a good approach.

BobK
BobK
2 years ago
Reply to  Inyo Citizen

Where the H did that come from. Are we only supposed to ask questions that are approved by people with a specific agenda. You and a couple of other members need to start your own forum and then you can ban the rest of us. Are you trying to make… Read more »

Inyo K
Inyo K
2 years ago
Reply to  BobK

“making it political” is the problem. Certain parties in this country have taken a “political” stance against health precautions, ignoring all expert advice.

VillageWitch
VillageWitch
2 years ago

They should be fined also!!!

Trouble
Trouble
2 years ago

Great move by the the owners and the county. I really believe both parties are trying hard to do the right thing here. It’s great PR for when they do get going again. I need a second job, if you need a extra del driver I’m willing to moonlight for… Read more »

Dee
Dee
2 years ago

This is great news and there should not be any more doubts from anyone that the county is indeed taking this seriously.
I heard another business owner was in court in Bishop yesterday for the same issues.

Charles James
2 years ago
Reply to  Dee

Dee, Sierra Wave was at the courthouse, and to the best of our knowledge, your information about another business owner being in court just is mistaken. There was a two-part hearing given a criminal trial was on the docket, so Judge Place had to do the hearing in two parts,… Read more »

Dee
Dee
2 years ago
Reply to  Charles James

No, I’m not mistaken.
Check the court record for Judge Lamb yesterday.

Charles James
2 years ago
Reply to  Dee

We will do that. Thanks.

Dee
Dee
2 years ago
Reply to  Charles James

You can bet that I won’t ever post any BS hollow innuendo here, or false assertions, information.
Confirmed, ****(edit, SWM) had lawyers etc, don’t believe that made much of a difference. Same concerns as the county has for Two Guys.

Charles James
2 years ago
Reply to  Dee

Lee, thanks for your comment. We have edited out the name of the person in your comment until we have had time to investigate further and determine if there is substance to it. As I said, I was there almost all day yesterday, and while I saw two people from… Read more »

Dee
Dee
2 years ago
Reply to  Charles James

Thanks Charles, and SW. I have a lot of sources, it ain’t just pillow talk as well… you will find everything I’ve said to likely be true in every regard. I understand your concern and don’t have a problem with the edits or if my comments are deleted etc. I… Read more »

Low
Low
2 years ago

It’s amazing how businesses in this county have had no issues staying open and getting business. For those of you that are choosing to support this business and the owner over the thousands of people’s health in this county, you must REALLLLLY love pizza more than your neighbor’s health and… Read more »

Hopeful
Hopeful
2 years ago
Reply to  Low

Thank you Inyo County health dept. And especially Dr. Richardson for looking out for us. While it is always nice to see bullying tactics shut down (because that’s what publicly challenging health directives amounts to) most importantly we will all benefit from a reduction in spreading this disease. Perhaps the… Read more »