The business owners ought to get together and agree on an opening date, then meet with local LE and explain their situation. I don't think most reasonable men will refuse something like that. Avoiding "us vs them" usually works.
Let their bossman say 'your pension is on the line' and they'll do anything they're told ,, period ..
That's why you talk to the "bossman". There's an order to this (or at least their should be). You petition the one handing down the orders first and work your way lower until you reach the lowest man on the totem pole.
The last thing you should have to say, and you should be ABLE to say, is "I tried to work with you". Make THEM the unreasonable party.
