A favorite watering hole for Villanova University’s upper classmen, Kelly’s Taproom, has had to close temporarily during the pandemic, writes Elena Rouse for the villanovan.com.

That’s put a crimp in the University’s nightlife.

Owner Gene Mitchell, a university alumnus, had forewarning of the pandemic before it came to the United States through his position as director of International Trade for Tricon Energy.

Tricon sells U.S. oil refinery fuel to end users around the world, including China.

Even with advanced knowledge of the virus impact, having to close the bar was still painful.

“Most of our bartenders are full-time people,” Mitchell said. “I would say more than 50 percent of them; it’s their primary income.”

The bar is still closed, even though others have partially reopened with pandemic restrictions.

Mitchell is concerned about crowd control.  Long lines form at the bar even under normal circumstances.

Reopening under the current situation would be “extremely difficult.”

Mitchell said the business will eventually open its doors, though not in 2020.

“I think that we just need to choose what the right time is and what the right steps are and put rules in place that are very clear.”

Read more about Kelly’s Taproom in the Villanovan here.

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