Governor Expands Restaurant Indoor Seating to 50 Percent, Starting Sept. 21
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that restaurants can expand indoor seating starting Sept. 21 to 50 percent, even as local restaurants continue to struggle, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.
Brick & Brew, with restaurants in Havertown and Media, has had to cut its formerly 200 staff in half, with pay cuts, because of restrictions, but is still operating.
Restaurants were ordered to shut down indoor dining in March, with only takeout and delivery permitted. On June 5, outdoor dining was allowed.
Indoor dining came back at 50 percent capacity in July, but was cut back again to 25 percent July 15, where it has remained until the governor’s new order.
Marc Dent, Brick & Brew’s regional director of marketing, says it’s been a frustrating ride for local restaurant owners.
He understands the need to protect people but officials don’t seem to realize that restaurants operate with small margins. Operating expenses continue even if revenue drops by double digits.
“Nobody wants to see anybody go out of business but the reality is probably 40 percent of the businesses aren’t going to make it through this,” Dent said.
Read more about the impact of coronavirus restrictions on Pennsylvania restaurants here.
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