Restaurant, tavern industry association meets in Hempfield, hopes for rollback of covid-19 restrictions
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Westmoreland County restaurant and bar operators say the state’s limit of 25% indoor occupancy for dining establishments unfairly targets them as being responsible for the spread of the coronavirus.
About 40 local industry members gathered Thursday at Ferrante’s Lakeview restaurant in Hempfield to share tales of how the state pandemic restrictions are crippling their businesses and to hear the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association’s strategy for rolling back some of the pandemic-related restrictions.
Chuck Moran, the association’s executive director, advocated a combination of public pressure, regulatory negotiations and legislative action.
One such legislative effort, he said, is a package of four restaurant and tavern relief bills being promoted by state Sen. Pat Stefano, a Republican from Bullskin Township, Fayette County. The bills, in part, seek to eliminate the 25% restriction as well as a ban on serving patrons at bars and a requirement that customers buy a meal in order to drink alcohol on the premises — as long as establishments use barriers and social distancing to help prevent spread of the virus.
The proposed legislation also would waive for one year license renewal and permit fees charged to restaurant and tavern owners.
“You guys haven’t been able to operate up to 100%, but yet you’re being asked to pay up to 100% (in fees),” Moran told owners at the meeting. “Your businesses have been the tip of the spear in this fight against covid-19. It doesn’t matter if there were riots over in Pittsburgh and suddenly there was a (positive case) spike. You guys are being blamed for everything.”
He pointed out the fall-off in business for eating and drinking establishments has a trickle-down effect hurting related businesses, including food suppliers.
Dan Ereditario and his wife, Jody, owners of the Grapeville Station tavern in Hempfield, said their staff is working at reduced hours because of the restrictions.
“You get a crowd on a Friday night, and all of a sudden, you have to tell people, ‘You can’t come in. There’s no more allowed,’ ” Dan Ereditario said.
Before the pandemic, Jody Ereditario said, the tavern would see crowds of 50 to 60 people on a weekend evening. Under covid-19 guidelines, at a given time, it can accommodate only 17 patrons, who must order hot dogs or slider sandwiches that have been added to the menu.
Kirk Kim, co-owner of The Olde Spitfire Grille in Greensburg, was among owners expressing frustration about unclear communication of shifting state pandemic guidelines for businesses. He said the restaurant has laid off half of its staff and has been able to stay open only by setting up an outdoor tent with seating for up to 120 people.
“As soon as the weather changes, the 25% (indoor occupancy restriction) is going to kill everybody,” he said.
Ron Tarquinio said his Banquets Unlimited business has seen a large drop in use of its North Huntingdon facility and is not booking a second site in Wilmerding.
“This whole thing is a mess,” he said. “Every day you come in, parties are being canceled. Nobody wants to come out.”
He said his North Huntingdon site can hold 250 people, but it was unable to accommodate a large wedding reception last weekend because of restrictions.
“I think the damage is done already,” Tarquinio said. “I don’t think it’s ever going to get any better.”
Two state Republican legislators who represent Westmoreland residents — Sen. Kim Ward and Rep. Eric Nelson, both of Hempfield — were on hand to hear from business owners and to reiterate support for easing restrictions on restaurants and taverns.
“It’s time for everybody to be able to go back to work,” Ward said.
“We’re going to get through this together,” Nelson said.