COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - Columbus business owners are battling with city leaders after they got three citations for violating mask mandates.
The owners of The Bride and Groom Bridal Boutique cannot talk on camera right now, according to their attorney.
But the couple took their fight to social media, which got a lot of public attention.
The owners of The Bride and Groom, Blaine and Corie Walters got their first visit from Columbus Police on October 8th, that's according to a Facebook video the couple posted.
The police chief visited their store and said the sign posted on the door was not in compliance and needed to be changed.
Then, within a ten-day period, police officers visited the store four times.
One of those times, police issued three citations, one to Blaine, Corie and another store employee.
The Walters' took their concerns about the mask mandate to social media.
The couple said they feel customers should be able to take off their masks while shopping for a wedding dress.
The city attorney responded to the Walters, saying they are not exempt from following the current mask mandate.
“We’re being targeted by we feel the mayor, and the city council for being vocal and outspoken about the mask mandate and then that is being enforced by the Columbus Police Department," explained Blaine Walters in a Facebook live video.
“The Bride and Broom sign was saying that was their loophole, that it wasn’t practical or feasible to wear a face-covering while trying on a wedding gown or tuxedo or whatever it is that they sell there. It’s no comparison whatsoever to the receipt of dental services where you can’t wear a mask and have a cleaning tool or dental implement in your mouth," explained Jeff Turnage, the city attorney in Columbus.
This is an ongoing story and we will continue to keep you updated as soon as we have more information.
