Chuck Moran, Executive Director

The following is a statement from Chuck Moran, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, concerning today’s announcement from the Governor’s Office to not extend the temporary order banning indoor dining service during the holiday season.

Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced he will not extend the current temporary order that has banned indoor seating at taverns and restaurants through the holiday season until January 4.

While this is positive news for establishments across the state, unfortunately the lingering impact on both businesses and employees will be felt as we move into 2021. Businesses lost a key time of the year, while many bartenders and servers missed out on usually very generous tips during the holiday season.

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association urges the legislature to help fix the financial problems small business taverns and licensed restaurants face as a result of this current order. When the legislature returns in January, we ask our state senators and representatives to move legislation to provide industry-specific grants.

Furthermore, to help the industry recover, we urge Governor Wolf to lift the order that prevents taverns and licensed restaurants from using bar top seating if establishments follow proper social distancing or barriers in those locations. Many corner bars throughout Pennsylvania have extraordinarily little, if any, table seating. This would help the smallest locations survive.

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About the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association
The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association is a statewide association based in Harrisburg, representing small business taverns and licensed restaurants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Association formed in 1941, reorganized in 2019, and today advocates for best practices and rights within the industry as well as best experiences for patrons.