Citing moral issue, Mort’s owners temporarily close over growing coronavirus concerns

When is having too much business not a good thing? During a pandemic. Just ask Mort’s co-owner Morrie Sheets, who has decided to voluntarily once again close the Old Town cigar bar over COVID-19 concerns.

“The scare is starting to creep back in,” Sheets said.

Adding to that, he said, “Mort’s is just off-the-wall packed.”

Before Mort’s reopened two weeks ago following a state government-mandated shutdown, the business took steps to protect returning customers, such as removing about 50 seats and sterilizing the bar.

Customers have been flocking back since then. At the same time, coronavirus cases continue to rise in Wichita.

“We’ve been doing great volume, but somebody’s going to end up getting sick somehow,” Sheets said.

“And then I’m going to feel bad. . . . It’s a moral issue because by law, I don’t have to do anything.”

The bar was open through Sunday but is not reopening Monday, “which is our best night of the week.”

Sheets said he, his wife, and Mort’s general manager Emma Russell will continue to evaluate the situation.

He said he also plans to test all employees for the virus once more, retrain them on best practices and then fog the bar again as well.

“I’m trying to be pro proactive.”

Mort’s has had no cases of coronavirus among its employees.

Sheets said he knows of other bars and restaurants that have sick workers who are continuing to work.

“It infuriates the heck out of me.”

He said he thought the reopening process would go more slowly than it has.

“There’s a line out the door, which makes me feel terrible, too. Until I can serve them all and serve them right, I don’t want to do it.”

Sheets said he and his team will choose when the time is right to reopen, whether that’s in a week, a couple of weeks or significantly longer. He said he thinks customers will appreciate the measures he’s taking.

“We don’t need the money. We need the customers and the friendship forever. We’re in for the long haul.”

This story was originally published June 22, 2020 at 2:29 PM.