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Atlanta restaurant announces plan to serve only vaccinated customers

ATLANTA — An Atlanta restaurant is making the bold decision to serve only customers who are fully vaccinated. Argosy Restaurant and Bar, located in East Atlanta Village, is one of the first businesses in Georgia to mandate with signs that say “No Vax, No Service.”

The company owner made the decision earlier this week after he and several of his employees, who were all fully vaccinated, contracted the virus as breakthrough cases.

“I think it’s a bunch of crap,” said David Carpenter. “It’s everybody’s choice, that’s what I think.”

“I personally don’t have a problem with it because I’m fully vaccinated,” said Megan Mewbron.

Channel 2′s Elizabeth Rawlins spoke to the restaurant owner via Zoom because he says he and several of his employees are battling a breakthrough case of the coronavirus.

“We did it strictly as a business decision after multiple staff members tested positive,” said restaurant owner Armando Celentano. “We had to close down during a busy weekend, losing out on tens of thousands of dollars.”

Celentano says that’s why he made the tough, controversial decision.

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“We decided that it would make better business sense to not allow unvaccinated people who are more likely to spread the virus into our restaurant,” said Celentano.

“That’s unfortunate because I don’t want to get a vaccination,” said Demirez Mathis.

When it comes to enforcing the new rule, Celentano says the signs are doing most of the heavy lifting. However, he says they are not afraid to ask someone to prove that they are vaccinated.

“This is private property and a private business,” said Celentano. “This is no different that ‘no shoes, no shirt, no service’.”