Area eateries and breweries spent the weekend adjusting to new COVID-19 restrictions put in place by Gov. Tom Wolfs administration.

On Thursday afternoon, Wolf announced a series of new restrictions intended to curb COVID-19 cases. Some of those restrictions that last through 8 a.m. on January 4 included ending indoor dining and closing gyms. The restrictions are on top of mitigation measures already in place since spring due to the pandemic that has claimed more than 770 Bucks Countians lives and sickened more than 22,000 locals.

With these measures in place, we hope to accomplish three goals: First, stop the devastating spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth. Second, keep our hospitals and health care workers from becoming overwhelmed. And third, help Pennsylvanians get through the holiday season and closer to a widely available vaccine as safely as possible. This is a bridge to a better future in Pennsylvania, the governor said.

The news was met not all that warmly by many area business owners who serve food and drinks and have followed past restrictions and put their own safety measures in place.

Mike LaCouture, one of the owners of Broken Goblet Brewing that started in Bristol Township and is now located along State Road in Bensalem Township, said he was disappointed by the latest restrictions.

I am not surprised. I am saddened, unbelievably so, for all the employees ours included who are affected by this two weeks before the holidays. He is taking a sledgehammer approach to the problem, which is both expected and unfortunate because a business like ours has been taking this so seriously and is probably one of the safest, cleanest places you would visit in the last nine months, he said.

Additionally, LaCouture said the governor is in a tough position because some businesses arent following the guidelines that have already been in place.

We suffer for others flippancy to the whole thing, he said.

Jake Howell, one of the owners of Second Sin Brewing Company on Grundy Lane in Bristol Township, said he understands the steps that are being taken to control the spread of COVID-19.

Overall, given the rise in cases something needs to be done, shutdown or otherwise. The issue is that the orders seem to be disproportionately targeted at bars and restaurants, but somehow 500 people going into a big box store isnt an issue. Also, one would imagine that the six months since the last shutdown would have been used to plan for this one, so that service industry workers and small business owners could have some assistance, especially at this time of year, he said.

Nicholas Brachelli, who owns Hoagie Xpress on Bristol-Emilie Road in Bristol Township, said the restrictions are tough on restaurants and bars.

Is it a necessary evil? I dont have the right answer for that, but it is hard to watch local businesses shut down and local families directly impacted during the holiday season, he said, adding he hopes the community would pull together to support local eateries.

John Longstreet, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association,said the governors latest order would have a considerable impact on businesses. He also noted theres not the federal aid like in spring to help small businesses and their owners and employees.

The short notice of the shutdown and timing could not be worse as employers will be forced to lay off thousands of more workers as we head into the holiday season, he said.

LaCouture said Broken Goblet Brewing has gone back to outdoor seating only to comply with the governors order.

I really think that will dwindle, and so we will have to try and survive on takeout and our new shipping services, he said.

At Broken Goblet Brewing, which has a large outdoor area, a few outdoor heaters wouldnt be enough to keep customers warm as the cold weather moves in. He said the team priced it out and it would cost them $60,000 to create an effective setup or 15 propane heaters at more than $5,000, plus the price of propane.

For now, the brewery has been making it work with six fire pits that use a cord of wood per a weekend, LaCouture said.

At Second Sin Brewing Company, Howell said theyre making due with outdoor seating and a propane heater.

Hopefully we can continue to offer the space to our guests, he said. We will be shortening up our hours to close around sundown on the weekend. Well post our finalized hours on social media once they are set. Also, we have had curbside pickup as an option since the previous shutdown. Finally, we will be starting delivery on Fridays and Saturdays.

Brachelli, whose Hoagie Xpress hasnt offered indoor seating since the pandemic started, said takeout has been keeping his business steady.

Simply call in your order ahead of your arrival. When you arrive at the store you walk up to the window pay and collect your order and on your way. It creates minimal contact not only for our customers but also our staff. It worked rather seamlessly in the spring when we had heightened restrictions so we will be revisiting it starting next week when we open for business, he said.

For the two breweries, both have been complying with government safety guidance and even taking precautions steps further.

LaCouture said Broken Goblet Brewing has spent thousands on safety for customers and employees. They added Plexiglass, upgrades to the HVAC system, and completely reworked their new taproom.

In the restaurant and bar industry, COVID-19 and the restrictions has made business tough locally and nationwide.

The impact of COVID-19 truly cannot be put into words, Brachelli said. It has impacted everything from day-to-day operations to bearing a heavy mental toll on everyone. As long as everyone practices social distancing mask wearing, and good hand washing hygiene, possibly and end is in sight.

For Second Sin Brewing Company, they just passed a year since opening. The first shutdown lasted longer than they had been open at that point.

I think we can say the COVID has had a substantial negative impact on our business. All we are doing now is trying to make it through the winter and hope that the vaccine roll out lets us get back to normal as soon as possible, Howell said.

When our employees suffer, the owners suffer. And I know there are others like us in the area, LaCouture said.

Overall, Broken Goblet Brewing has seen business drop 60 percent to 70 percent due to COVID-19 and even with a 350 percent to 400 percent increase in takeout and the sale of packaged beer.

The general consumer is unaware of the mathematics of in-house dining/drinking versus takeout, but that really is not their problem. It is a fact of life right now for us, LaCouture said.

While most restaurants, bars, and other businesses seem to be following the states new regulations, there has been talk of some that are not.

Two area eateries that are rumored to be protesting the mitigation measures did not respond to requests for comment.

A high-profile objection has come from Jim Worthingtons Newtown Athletic Club in Newtown Township. The large regional health club said will remain open for the sake of our loyal members.

We believe that we are doing more service to our community if we remain available for them to continue their exercise and healthy lifestyle regimes which in the end, according to the science, are among the best lines of defense against COVID-19, a social media post from the club said.

Local and state authorities are empowered through law to enforce the governors orders. While there have been some county and state enforcement actions, local Levittown-area law enforcement have not been involved in any high-profile enforcement actions.

Bucks County Commissioners Chairperson Diane Ellis-Marseglia said she is sure state officials would not implement the mitigation measures unless they believe circumstances are dire.

I am looking forward to a federal response
with national standards so that every state, and every county, can be aligned with a greater plan. Rather than think of this as being imposed, I suggest thinking of it doing our share to contribute and cooperate for the greater good, she said.

We have consistently told people to mask up and follow the protocols. Its obvious that while most people followed that advice there are many who ignored it for whatever reason. The new mitigation measures will hopefully help stop the spread so that our hospitals arent overwhelmed. We know restaurants will suffer the most. We encourage Bucks Countians to help our restaurants as much as they can through takeout and delivery orders, Commissioner Bob Harvie said.

During this critically important time we need our elected officials in Washington Democrats and Republicans alike to come up with a stimulus package that will help every American in need and lift our business community through this public health crisis, said Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo.

We all need to support our heroes: the healthcare workers, people on the front lines caring for others and our emergency service providers, and the way we can do that is by continuing to wear masks, staying safe and following the social distancing guidelines, he added.

I certainly understand the governor felt he needed to do something to stem the high tide of cases, Bucks County Health Department Director Dr. David Damsker said in a statement. However, I do feel very badly for the affected businesses, and was hoping we could have been successful reducing the cases prior to implementing any additional restrictions. In the meantime, we need to continue wearing masks and limiting any unnecessary gatherings from now through the holidays.

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