In the evening hours of March 15, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf made an announcement that will be etched into the minds of Pennsylvania restaurant or tavern owners forever. That announcement officially ordered restaurants and taverns in certain SEPA counties to close their dine-in facilities at 12:01 a.m. March 16 to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The very next day during an afternoon presser, the governor expanded the order to include restaurants and taverns in all counties.

Despite the panic and fear it caused within the industry, overwhelmingly Pennsylvania’s restaurants and taverns followed the order with many redefining business models to provide take-out food and beverage service only.

None-the-less, COVID-19 is a setback for every establishment and every industry employee. Revenue has been lost, and income-producing jobs have been put on hold.

So, we must ask ourselves a question … what has our industry learned from all of this?

Upfront, we learned the importance of having a business continuity plan.

Equally important, particularly as any crisis eases, is having a recovery plan. Here are four things to consider when working on your recovery plan.

Customer Communications

Those who were able to conduct some business during the COVID-19 crisis learned the value of keeping in touch with past customers. Many establishments saw value in using email lists and social media.

If you haven’t built a customer email list, now is the time to get started. Find a way to collect email addresses every time a customer places an order. Not only can you use an email list during a crisis, but you can also tap its power for normal business operations. Tools like MailChimp make it easy and affordable to maintain email lists and create promotional emails.

As we learned in a social distancing world, social media plays a huge role in connecting with friends and family. Many restaurants offering take-out service as part of their COVID-19 business continuity plan relied partly on Twitter and Facebook to get the word out. If you’re not already using these two tools, it’s time to get started.

Ordering and Delivery

The role of online ordering and delivery services increased as the COVID-19 crisis grew. Establishments that had Websites ready to take orders had an advantage. Similarly, those already connected with delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash were a step ahead of their competition.

Since these tools are growing in popularity, and maybe now part of the customer culture as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, your establishment needs to take them seriously. Talk to your Web designer to see what you can do to improve your online ordering capabilities. Maybe you even need an app for use on cell phones. Also, reach out to a delivery service and connect.

Insurance Review

How many owners really knew what was and wasn’t covered in their business insurance package before the COVID-19 crisis? For sure, many found out during the crisis what wasn’t covered.

As the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association has said in the past, shopping around and doing a yearly review of your insurance needs should be a part of your annual business plan (see March 2020 edition of this magazine). If not, now is the time to work it into your recovery plan. Talk to your broker or directly to an insurance company for help.

If you don’t have a broker, the we suggest contacting Independent Food & Beverage Insurance Brokers, Inc. (IFB), which is an Associate Member of our Association and ready to help Members with their needs. To reach IFB, call Michael Sabino at (201) 460-8465 or 1 (800) 336-6121. Or send an email to info@ifbinsure.com.

Also, Integrated Specialty Coverages (ISC) is another Associate Member of the PLBTA. You can purchase ISC insurance through a broker or through Gaslamp Insurance Services at 1-888-681-1230. For more information on ISC, call (619) 550-8786.

Membership

You don’t want to be left in the dark during a crisis. And it helps to be in-the-know during times of normalcy. Being a part of organized taverns should be in your yearly plan.

During the first three weeks of the COVID-19 crisis, the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association sent 25 alerts to Members. Each alert contained valuable information ranging from financial matters to safety issues to breaking news.

Based upon the open rate and click-thru rate of each alert we sent, it was very evident that each alert was being read and then circulated. Having access to this type of information can save a business.

We also know that non-members suffered by not being a part of organized taverns as they scrambled to get important news and help. Members certainly had an advantage.

Maintaining your membership in the PLBTA is important at all times. Renewing or joining is as easy as going to www.pataverns.com and using your credit card. Those who are not Members can easily begin the Membership process using the same Web address.

 

This story was republished from the May 2020 edition of the Pennsylvania Beverage Media, which is the official monthly magazine of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association.

Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association has kept its Members up-to-date with daily reports and links to important information to help them navigate these troubled waters. This page is a collection of important links in one location.

Last updated July 15, 2020, 5:45 p.m.

 

Orders and Legal Matters

• Governor’s Office
  • Governor’s Stay-at-Home Order
  • Stay-at-Home Guidance Document – details allowable activities.
  • Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of
    Health Directing Public Health Safety Measures for
    Businesses Permitted to Maintain In-person Operations
  • Reopening and Recovery Plan
  • Guidance that details procedures businesses must follow to conduct in-person operations in counties slated to move to the yellow phase of reopening
  • Building safety order
  • Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Public Health Safety Measures for Businesses Permitted to Maintain In-person Operations
  • Restaurant Guidance for all phases
  • Outdoor Seating Guidance for establishments in Yellow counties
  • Indoor Seating Guidance for establishments in Green counties
  • Updated Governor’s Order for Taverns and Restaurants July 15, 2020

 

• Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
  • Advisory Notice #26
  • Golf Course May 1 Reopening Guidance
  • Green County Guidance
  • Temporary Extensions of Licensed Premises

 

• White House
  • Pennsylvania Disaster Declaration

 

• Philadelphia City Council
  • Outdoor Dining Guidance
  • Reopening With Care (What Philadelphia Will Look Like In Green)
  • Restaurant Guidance Green Phase

 

Financial Matters

• Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

• • Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act
    • Paycheck Protection Program – The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis.
      • Application
      • Guidance Document
      • Q&A

• • • Economic Disaster Injury Loan via Small Business Administration – A quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover you right now
      • General Information
      • Application

• • • Small Business Debt Relief Program – provide immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans
      • Types of loans

 

• U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Coronavirus Relief Options

 

• COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance
  • COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Grants Applications and Guidelines

 

• Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA)
  • Access point for this program:  Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO) for county where business is located (Find it here)
  • Eligible Businesses: Any for-profit businesses located in PA and with 100 or fewer employees worldwide may qualify for disaster relief loans. Your application must be processed through the CEDO designated for the county where your business is physically located.
  • Loan Amount: The lesser of 3 months of working capital not to exceed a loan amount of $100,000
  • Interest Rate: 0% for all business types except Agriculture Producers
  • Amortization: 12 years
  • Term: 3 years
  • Repayment: No payment in first 12 months, amortized payments monthly for the following 24 months, one balloon payment for the remaining balance in the 37th month
  • Collateral: Blanket lien on all current business assets and any acquired in the future in first available lien position
  • Guarantors: All owners (individual or other business entities) owning 20% or more of applicant business must guarantee the loan. Some credit criteria for approval (as evaluated by PIDA) may include: at least breakeven performance in the prior year, acceptable personal credit history of the guarantors, and historical cash flow adequate to pay obligations

• • Items needed for your application:
    • For the intended Borrower (Applicant Company, an Operating Company):
      • Company Profile Sheet
      • Signed W-9
      • Signed Business Entity Certification
      • Most recent year financials (accountant prepared or filed tax return)
      • Interim Financials (income statement at least) prepared by management from last full year statements (see bullet above) through current
      • Debt Schedule

• • • For the Guarantors (any owner, individual or business entity, with 20% or more interest in Borrower):
      • Signed Certification Sheet (Individuals) (Business Entities)
      • For individuals: A signed and dated Personal Financial Statement (Click Here for blank form) or provide what you have already prepared dated within last 12 months
      • For business entities: Most recent year of financial statements

 

• Rapid Response Assistance – for businesses that have had to close either temporarily, consider layoffs, or is financially at-risk for permanent closure. This program from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development is available to assist you with a variety of services and resources to help you and your employees.

 

• Unemployment Compensation
  • Pennsylvania UC Updates
  • Apply online
  • Employer UC & COVID-19 FAQs
  • Employment benefits webpage
  • Employment benefits guide
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Tips for filing an initial UC claim
  • Start a new claim video

 

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
  This applies for those who typically do not qualify for unemployment compensation. We anticipate Pennsylvania having this program up-and-running towards the end of April.
  • Apply by clicking here
  • PUA FAQ

 

• Waiver for pre-payment of sales tax
  • Waiver of penalties for accelerated sales tax pre-payment

 

Mental Health Assistance

• Disaster Distress Helpline – Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 800-273-8255 or Chat with Lifeline
• Crisis Textline – Text TALK to 741741

 

Health Safety

• CDC: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
• CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CDC: Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities
• EPA: List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
• Pa. DOH: Homemade Masks
• Pa. DOH: Homemade Masks Guidance Document
• CDC: How To Make A No-Sew Mask

 

General Business Advice

• Tap Shutdown – Draught Quality Recommendations During Extended Bar/Restaurant Shutdown

 

Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association Membership

• Renewal Form
• New Member Form

 

Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association Letters To Members

• March 17 Letter – An Open Letter to Pennsylvania Bars and Restaurants Concerning COVID-19
• March 30 Letter – We Will Be Better Because of This

 

Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association In The News

• April 1, 2020 – DelCo Times: Guest Column: Help is on way for Pa. restaurants, taverns
• April 1, 2020 – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Letter to the editor: We’ll be better country after coronavirus crisis
• March 30, 2020 – WHTM TV-27 Harrisburg: Pennsylvania restaurants and bars concerned of permanent closure
• March 21, 2020 – Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Your view: Give restaurant owners, workers you respect too
• March 21, 2020 – The Center Square: Pennsylvania distilleries pumping out hand sanitizer amid state shutdown
• March 20, 2020 – WHTM TV-27 Harrisburg: Combating the coronavirus in public spaces: restaurants offering takeout, deliveries
• March 20, 2020 – York Dispatch: Letter: Add bar and restaurant workers to list of heroes
• March 19, 2020 – Pocono Record: Editorial: Pocono restaurant workers will face financial hardship during outbreak
• March 19, 2020 – Meadville Tribune: State agencies enforcing dine-in eating ban
• March 19, 2020 – Dubois Courier-Times: An open letter to bar and restaurant owners and their employees concerning COVID-19
• March 19, 2020 – DelCo Times: Guest Column: Wolf made right call on bars, restaurants
• March 18, 2020 – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Spreadsheets, free meals and Dining Bonds among creative efforts to help restaurants and service industry workers
• March 18, 2020 – Lancaster Newspapers: Letter to restaurant owners, employees (letter)
• March 18, 2020 – Lehigh Valley Live: Pa. Tavern Association: Closing bars and restaurants a hardship, but necessary | Opinion
• March 18, 2020 – Meadville Times: Shut-down order causing anxiety, confusion for small businesses
• March 18, 2020 – Harrisburg Patriot-News: Central Pa. restaurants worry about future as coronavirus forces them to pivot to takeout
• March 17, 2020 – US News and World Report: State to Open Virus Testing Sites; Job Losses Spike
• March 17, 2020 – York Daily Record: An open letter to bar, restaurant owners and employees related to the coronavirus

 

Dear Members,

Never could I have imagined for any reason that I would have to tell every Member of my Association to either close their establishments or limit their services.  The order from Governor Wolf to Pennsylvania’s taverns and restaurants to limit service to take-out only initially shocked those in the industry. Fear of lost revenue for these small businesses and paychecks for their employees immediately was very evident in every phone call or email I received.

At that time, there was little I could tell you to ease your pain beyond letting you know many associations including ours were working to help you through these difficult times.

Pennsylvania’s taverns and restaurants were the tip of the spear in this fight. Early and decisive decisions had to be made by Governor Wolf to flatten the curve, buy time for our health care professionals to prepare, and ultimately save as many lives as possible.

It was the right decision. The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association supported the governor’s order early.

Fortunately, our elected leaders in both Harrisburg and Washington, DC, haven’t forgotten the sacrifice small businesses are making. Financial help is on the way to both small business owners and their employees.

The importance of saving lives is being matched by the importance of saving livelihoods.

I believe that as Pennsylvanians navigate this crisis, all of us will be better because of it.

We now know what it’s like to have our jobs and ways of life threatened in a manner no one could have ever guessed.

We now know the value of loved ones and friends more than ever before as we practice social distancing and self-isolation.

We now know the value of different professions. From the cook preparing take-out food to the cashier in the grocery store ringing up orders to the healthcare provider saving lives, we’ve learned how important each and every person is.

And, we even learned how our very own individual actions are important as we put more emphasis on washing our hands, covering our noses and mouths with every sneeze and cough, and not hoarding necessary supplies like food.

We will weather this storm. And, we’ll be a better country and better people because of this.

 

Sincerely,

Chuck Moran
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association

The following is a list of PLBTA Members that are offering either pick-up service, delivery service, or both during the Governor’s Order related to COVID-19. Some are also selling gift cards and/or participating in a virtual tip jar to help their employees.

We ask Pennsylvania to help these small businesses at this time of crisis by ordering a meal to take home. Maybe you can buy a gift card to use after the crisis passes.

Members … please send an email to pataverns@pataverns.com to be added to this list.

List as of 10:00 p.m. on 3/30/20

 

Adams County

• The LIVERY – 900 Chambersburg Road, Gettysburg
  717-334-4598
  Pick up only, meals and beer
  4 to 8 p.mm Monday-Sunday
  Gift cards available

 

Allegheny County

• Carmella’s Plates and Pints – 1908 East Carson Street- Pittsburgh
  412-918-1215
  Pick up service every day between the hours of Noon and 8 p.m.
  Full menu
  Gift cards available by placing your order over the phone and we will mail to you or by stopping in

 

Berks County

• Little Oley Tavern – 2068 Farmington Avenue, Boyertown
  610-367-2353
  Pick-up service starting Monday, March 23

 

Butler County

• B&J Coney Island – 635 Kelly Road, Slippery Rock
  Lunch, Dinner
  Curb-side Food Orders
  (724) 794-4899

 

Carbon County

• Joey B’s Bar – Restaurant – 638 Delaware Ave., Palmerton
  610-826-6620
  Offering pick-up / curbside
  Tuesday-Sunday 11AM – 8PM
  Gift cards available

 

Chester County

• Spring City Hotel – 88 N. Main Street Spring City
  610-948-7525
  Take out food and beer
  Wed-Sat 4-8
  Gift cards available
• Ron’s Original Bar & Grille – 74 E Uwchlan Avenue, Exton
  610-594-9900
  Take-out, Delivery and Curbside Pickup
  11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  Gift cards available
  Tips maybe left on credit cards or via cash
  Follow via Twitter @ronsoriginal

 

Clearfield County

• Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub – 1452 Woodland Road, Clearfield
  814-765-7190
  11 a.m. til 9 p.m.
  Six pack Bottle Shop Open
  Order from our menu online at www.dennysbeerbarrelpub.com
  Or call in Take Out Orders
  Food pick up in Bottle Shop or You may request Curb side service if ordering online

 

Cumberland County

• Flinchy’s – 1833 Hummel Ave, Camp Hill
  717-761-9000
  Offering: Pickup, Curbside, and will deliver catering business meals to companies up to 10 employees.
  Open 1100 am – 7:00 pm
  Gift Cards available
  Forwarding tips to servers
• Three Pines Tavern – 336 N. Baltimore Ave. Mt. Holly Springs
  717-486-3656
  Pick-up, Delivery soon
  11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Dauphin County

• Mangia Qui, Rubicon and Suba – 272 North Street, Harrisburg
  Rubicon – 270 North St, Harrisburg
  Suba – 272 North St, Harrisburg
  Free delivery and curbside pick-up
  All orders are by phone – 717-233-7358
  Menus and info available online by clicking on name above

 

Delaware County

• Frontier Saloon – 336 Kedron Ave Folsom
  610-534-1424
  food pick up and beer takeout
  10 a.m. to Midnight
  Gift cards available

 

Erie County

• Edinboro Hotel Bar – 100 Meadville Street, Edinboro
  814-734-5103
  Pick up or curb side delivery only
  11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
  11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday & Saturday
  Gift cards sold in-house, Orders for gift cards over the phone available and can be mailed
  Follow us via Twitter @EdinboroHotel

 

Fayette County

• Arch Café – 615 N.Pittsburgh St., Connellsville
  724-628-9117
  Pick-up, curbside, and delivery
  11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  Gift cards available

 

Franklin County

• Norland Pub – 454 Norland Avenue, Chambersburg
  717-264-9115
  Offering Carry Out & Limited Delivery Options
  11 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 Days a Week
  Gift cards available

 

Lancaster County

• Hot Z Pizza – 3001 Harrisburg Pike, Landisville
  Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  Pickup & Delivery
  Order online: http://bit.ly/HZPOrderOnline or call ahead at 717-898-3889 

 

Lehigh County

• Mahoneys Irish Pub – 1609 Hanover Ave Allentown Pa
  610-433-6170
  11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  Gift cards available

 

Montgomery County

• Jerzees Sports Bar & Pizziaria – 2609 Mt Carmel Avenue, Glenside
  215-572-1105
  11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  Online ordering available on our website
  Takeout Food and Beer available Credit only no cash
  Delivery Food and Beer available Credit only no cash 3 mile delivery radius

 

Philadelphia County

• Villa di Roma – 934 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia
  215-592-1295 (Call first)
  Pick-up service Tuesday through Sunday, Noon to 8 p.m.
  Gift certificates and cold beer also available

 

Wayne County

• The Grille Room & Overlook Restaurant – 301 Woodloch Springs, Hawley
  570-685-8131
  Pick up service
  Mon-Thurs: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fri-Sun: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Gift cards available
• The Boat House Restaurant – 141 PA-507, Hawley, PA 18428
  570-226-5027
  Pick up service
  12 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily
  Gift cards available
• The Pines Tavern – 153 Welwood Avenue, Hawley
  Noon til midnight
  Pick up service, food and beer

 

Wyoming County

• The Table Rock Hotel – 11018 St Rt 6, Laceyville PA 18623
  570-869-9983
  Pick up pizza, stromboli and beer
  11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

 

York County

• The Other Place – 10 S. Highland Ave., York
  11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  Take-out Service
  Paper menus on the door to take home
• Alley Oops Sports Bar & Grill (Suburban Bowlerama) – 1945 S. Queen St., York
  717-848-4967
  Pick-up and Delivery
  Gift cards available
  Follow them on Twitter @suburbanbowling
• Goofy’s Eatery and Spirits – 5965 York Road, Spring Grove
  11 am to 10 pm
  717-225-9909
  Delivery and pickup
• Golden Crust Pizza – 59 East Broadway, Red Lion
  717-246-2773 or Order Online at http://gcpizzaonline.com
  Sunday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  Wednesday / Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  Friday / Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• VFW Post 5265 – 199 W First Ave, Spring Grove
  717-225-4010
  Pick-up in the dining room
  11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  Gift cards available
  Follow via Twitter @vfw5265
• Westgate Restaurant & Lounge – 1550 Kenneth Road, York
  717-767-6614
  Take out, please call ahead to place order
  11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  Menu is on website
• Glenville Station – 7945 Glenville Rd,Glenville
  717-235-3339
  11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily
  Carry out Food and Beer

 

 

Yesterday’s announcement from Governor Wolf left many wondering why bars and restaurants were ordered to close. And, it didn’t help matters that after the order was made, there was significant confusion due to different interpretations of the order until Governor Wolf sent out a clarification last night.

It was a tough decision, no doubt. But, there’s a simple answer why Pennsylvania bars and restaurants were ordered to close.

We don’t want to be the next Italy. Some in the medical community fear that it could happen, and happen quickly. COVID-19 has the unique ability to spread in a very short time period and impact large populations at once, as we’ve seen across the world.

Italy chose not to address social distancing until it was too late. Up until the very last minute, bars and restaurants were filled to capacity.

The slow response by the Italian government has left staggering statistics with a health care system that is overwhelmed. News reports make it clear that hospital staffers have had to make devastating decisions about who gets treated and who they must let go. As of this morning, Italy was reporting nearly 30,000 coronavirus cases and more than 2,000 deaths.

Governor Wolf’s order to close the state’s restaurants and bars was difficult, but it was in the best interest of public health. Hopefully, it will slow the spread, flatten the curve, and give our health care networks the time they need to prepare.

It’s often been said that health care professionals are on the front lines of the war against diseases, and that they are heroes.

Let’s add Pennsylvania tavern and restaurant owners, bartenders, waitresses and waiters, and other staff to the list of heroes. They’re the tip of the spear in this fight. They’re sacrificing revenue and salary to play their part in stopping the spread.

This crisis will pass. There was once a time that the world struggled with polio. That was until a Pennsylvania physician named Jonas Salk invented a vaccine. Today, polio is almost non-existent. Our country’s smartest medical researchers are working on this, and like Jonas Salk, they’ll find an answer.

And, when they do, patrons will return to restaurants and bars, celebrate life, and declare victory.

Chuck Moran
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association

 

Members please continue to monitor your emails for our “On the Fly” alerts. These are being issued as we learn more about the COVID-19 situation and how it is impacting your business. If you are not receiving those emails, please send us a message at pataverns@pataverns.com.