Pandemic prompts 10-day closure at Stober's Bar

THURSDAY, Jan. 6 — Regulars at Stober’s Bar will have to find another place to knock back their cocktails this month after the local watering hole announced plans to close for 10 days in response to rising COVID-19 caseloads among local restaurant employees in Greater Lansing.

Owner Tim O’Rourke told City Pulse this afternoon that none of his employees have tested positive for the coronavirus and that all have been fully vaccinated, including boosters.  Still, as caseloads fueled by the omicron variant surge across the state, he said that briefly shuttering the bar “out of an abundance of caution” was a safe bet.

“We know there are cases going around the industry, so we’re just being safe,” O’Rourke added.

The bar plans to reopen on Jan. 16, though O’Rourke said the closure could be longer.

Across Michigan, the reported number of coronavirus cases tracked daily has surged by about 50% over the last week and 118% over the last two weeks, reported Crain’s Detroit. New COVID-19 cases among those ages 20-29 has also surged by about 110% in the last week.