Restaurateurs rally in Bethlehem, ask Wolf to reconsider recent veto
As local restaurant owners prepare for what would normally be their busiest time of the year, they are asking Gov. Tom Wolf to reconsider his Friday veto of a bill that would have significantly relaxed dining restrictions.
On Monday, about 30 Bethlehem restaurant owners and members of the business community held a rally on Main Street, asking local representatives to override Wolf’s veto. The event was organized by Steve DiDonato, who has been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years and owns the Wooden Match Cigar Bar/Artisan Wine and Cheese Cellars.
“We are not asking for a lot, we are just asking to operate our businesses, to keep our businesses afloat and all these people can attest to that,” DiDonato said.
The restaurant owners are at odds with Wolf’s veto of House Bill 2513, introduced by state Rep. Garth D. Everett, R-Lycoming County, which would do away with 25% indoor capacity limitations and with the requirement to buy a meal with alcohol
sales. Those two mandates have been in effect since July 15.
The bill also would allow restaurants to operate at a minimum of 50% indoor capacity, and potentially go above that if the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state allow. It also
would permit establishments to use their bar service, including hotels, private clubs that serve food, breweries, wineries and distilleries.
The bipartisan bill was approved by the Pennsylvania
tatives 145-56.
In vetoing the bill, Wolf said it jeopardizes public health and safety.
Last month, Wolf allowed restaurants to increase their indoor occupancy from 25% to 50%, as long as they certify with the state that they are complying with all public health guidelines. They will then appear in a searchable state database called “Open & Certified Pennsylvania.”
In a statement Friday, Wolf said the bill “contains constitutional infirmities, as it attempts to take away executive authority during the existing COVID19 disaster emergency.” The bill could permit eating establishments, including restaurants, bars, clubs and banquet halls, to operate up to 100% capacity without having to follow any mitigation guidelines, Wolf said.
Supporters say that’s not the case. “We need people to feel safe. They aren’t going to come in if they don’t feel safe. We do care about our guests,” said John Trapani, owner of Zest in Bethlehem and Grille 3501 in Allentown. “You have to wear masks if you aren’t seated, and no one can stand around with a drink. The public isn’t ready to go to more than 50%, and we aren’t asking for more than 50%. We are just begging for help. We are begging for our lives here.”
Trapani said he registered both restaurants for Wolf’s “Open & Certified” initiative, but knows many restaurant owners who are hesitant to register for liability reasons. Trapani said allowing bar seating would increase business by 10%-15% at his restaurants.
“Because of the warm weather and
outdoor seating we are doing OK, but I’m worried as the weather gets colder,” Trapani said.
Bruce Haines, managing partner of Hotel Bethlehem, said 70 of his 200
employees have been laid off since March because of the restrictions. Although the restaurant portion of his business could potentially operate at 50% capacity, there are still strict caps
on gatherings in Hotel Bethlehem’s ballrooms and banquet halls.
“Even though he recently changed the rules to 20% in our event space, that’s still only about 40 people in a 200-capacity ballroom next to our restaurant. In our restaurant we can have 75 or 80 people. What’s the difference with someone seated and having dinner in a ballroom? We are 6-feet apart in either space,” Haines said at Monday’s rally.
John Longstreet, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, said the veto will have a long-lasting and negative impact on the hospitality industry.
“Despite the communication from the governor’s office, HB 2513 does not allow restaurants at full capacity, but allows restaurants to operate at 50% capacity. HB 2513 was passed with broad bipartisan support in both chambers of the Legislature and is vitally important to the restaurant, lodging and event industries’ long-term survival,” Longstreet said.
The bill is especially important as colder weather approaches and outdoor dining becomes less attractive, supporters say.
Longstreet said the state should stop putting “undue burdens” on the restaurant industry and instead educate people on “the greater dangers” of hosting small gatherings in their homes, without social distancing protocols.
The House could authorize a veto override on the bill, if two-thirds of the members support that.
It would then go to the Senate, where two-thirds also would have to approve the override.
A spokesman for Republican House Majority Leader, Bryan Cutler said next steps will be discussed this week.