Western Pa. bar, restaurant owners rankled over ban on Thanksgiving Eve alcohol sales

Bar and restaurant owners across Western Pennsylvania reacted Tuesday to the news of a statewide 15-hour ban of alcohol sales in such establishments beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

David Magill, owner of Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell, said business the night before Thanksgiving is traditionally his third-highest grossing holiday, behind St. Patrick’s Day and the Friday night after Thanksgiving.

He said the bar and restaurant industry in Pennsylvania has been used as a “scapegoat” by the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf.

“It’s an arbitrary act by the governor to keep gatherings from happening on one particular evening,” Magill said. “The night before Thanksgiving for any tavern or bar is what they bank on. It’s a big moneymaker.”

Magill said his alcohol sales have decreased by 65% over the past eight months, though he noted food sales have increased.

“My profit margin has taken a big hit,” Magill said. “I’m not happy about it.”

Lee Layton, 32, co-owner of Conny Creek Brewing Co. in Allegheny Township, said he’s disappointed in the timing of the announcement.

“Everyone knows that the night before Thanksgiving is when a lot of people and families go out, and they let us know last minute,” Layton said.

Conny Creek will operate with modified hours, opening at noon Wednesday until 8 p.m.

“We’ll just have to stop in-house alcohol sales at 5 p.m., but we will still offer to-go sales of cases, cans and growlers,” he said.

Layton said the covid-19 regulations pertaining to restaurants and bars have been “changing all of the time,” and he’s disappointed in the lack of communication from state officials.

Mogie’s and Conny Creek said they had yet to receive any official email or directive from the state. Instead, they were relying on information from social media or friends.

“It’s not a total loss, but we were hoping for a very good night here,” Layton said. “It’s driving the in-person business to the beer distributors and other places.”

Bar owner saw it coming

Mark Mediate, owner-general manager of Scooby’s Pub in Greensburg, said he figured a new restriction was coming because of the rise in coronavirus cases statewide.

“To tell you the truth, it wasn’t unexpected because of where the covid-19 numbers have been going recently,” Mediate said.

Pennsylvania on Tuesday reported 6,669 new covid-19 cases and another 81 deaths, bringing the totals in the Keystone State since the pandemic started in March to more than 320,000 cases and just under 10,000 deaths.

From Nov. 18 to Tuesday, Allegheny County reported 3,810 coronavirus cases — a seven-day total record, with a daily average over that span of 544.

Westmoreland County on Tuesday set new records for seven-day total cases (1,465) and seven-day total deaths (36). The seven-day average of new daily cases (209) also is a record.

Still, Mediate called the temporary ban on alcohol sales disappointing but noted it could have been worse.

“We usually open the bar at 5 p.m., but we’ll just stay shut tomorrow,” he said. “We’re not going to open the bar to sell sandwiches and soda.”

At Cappy’s in Shadyside, owner Bryan Carey said he also is planning to close the doors at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

“It’s kind of devastating, that would be the best description,” Carey said. “But at 50% capacity, covid has kind of ruled out that it would’ve been a great night anyway, (business-wise).”

Uptick caused by rule-breakers?

Mediate said he believes a lot of the cause for the 5 p.m. closure is “because a lot of establishments haven’t been following the existing rules.”

“I can tell you we’ve been strictly complying with them, but I know a lot of other places have not,” he said. “On a night like (Wednesday), you’d see some following the 50% capacity rule while others would still pack in as many as they could.

“Some aren’t following the rules, so we all end up with the new regulation. It’s definitely been tough.”

Gina Dunlap, manager-owner of Neighbors Tavern in Jeannette, said the temporary restriction is going to adversely impact revenue for tavern owners, plus their employees.

“I don’t see that wineries are impacted … and they are not shutting down the casinos, either. Instead, they’re just hitting the restaurants and taverns again,” Dunlap said. “It’s really ridiculous they’re closing us for just a few hours. Instead, people will leave here and cram in their garages or porches with six-packs.”

Dunlap said the day before Thanksgiving is normally the Lowry Avenue tavern’s busiest day of the year, and the bartenders look forward to it because they usually make a lot of tips.

“So once again, the state is hurting the little guy,” she said.