Skip Navigation

Smart Talk: The hospitality industry hit hard by COVID restrictions seek aid from state

Marti of Swatara Township is served her meal. Promenade Family Dining restaurant is, like all bars and restaurants that have completed the state's self certification process, now open today for indoor dining at 50 percent capacity, January 4, 2021.

 Dan Gleiter / PennLive

Marti of Swatara Township is served her meal. Promenade Family Dining restaurant is, like all bars and restaurants that have completed the state's self certification process, now open today for indoor dining at 50 percent capacity, January 4, 2021.

Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 9am and 7pm on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.”

Airdate: Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Industry-wide layoffs, financial losses and threats of continued closures have hospitality owners appealing for help.

Restaurants and lodging organizations have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. With little end in sight, they are petitioning the state for a financial life raft.

According to industry representatives, restaurants and bars are barely managing losses under viral mitigation restrictions imposed by Gov. Tom Wolf. Restaurants are operating at 50 percent indoor capacity, with no bar seating, and a strict liquor sale cutoff at 11pm.

Without any aid, it is estimated that nearly half of all Pennsylvania restaurants won’t survive. 

John Longstreet is the president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association and he appears on Smart Talk Wednesday to discuss what is needed to turn the corner of this crisis. Joining him are Jim Fris, President & CEO, PJW Restaurant Group, the owners and operators of PJ Whelihans, The Pour House and The Chop House, and Chris Sirianni, owner and operator of the Brewerie at Union Station, Erie, Pennsylvania. 

 

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Support for WITF is provided by:

Become a WITF sponsor today »

Up Next
Smart Talk

Smart Talk: Pa Labor & Industry Acting Secretary on unemployment programs and workforce development