Greensburg OKs temporary sidewalk dining

Any who enjoys al fresco dining on a nice summer day will have that opportunity when they patronize a Greensburg restaurant, tavern or brewery, thanks to the city easing restrictions on those activities.

“It’s good they’re doing something to help the bars and the restaurants in the city,” said Natalie Rizzi, general manager of Mr. Toad’s, a popular city tavern.

Rizzi was reacting to Greensburg Mayor Robert Bell’s proclamation this week that temporarily suspends local regulations and enforcement of ordinances against patrons drinking from open-containers of alcohol and drinking and dining along the sidewalks, patios and parking lots.

In the proclamation Bell issued at a city council meeting Monday, the mayor said the suspension is on a limited basis and is being done to sustain restaurants, bars and breweries as a way of stimulating the local economy.

The suspension of the prohibitions against drinking and dining outside the business is limited to approved areas of city-owned or city-operated parking facilities and sidewalks. The requirements of the cafe dining permit also are suspended.

Bell could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Restaurants were limited to take-out meals since mid-March, when the governor’s order prohibiting interior dining took effect in an attempt to stop the spread of coronavirus, until June 5, when Westmoreland County moved from the yellow phase of covid-19 restrictions to the green phase.

At the same time, bars were permitted to serve up to 64 ounces of drinks-to-go.

Under the green phase, restaurants and bars are permitted to be open, but limited to 50% capacity.

While lifting the restrictions on outside drinking along the sidewalks is good in principal, Rizzi noted it would not be too practical for Mr. Toad’s because it is on a hill along East Otterman Street and any drinks placed on a sidewalk table are likely to slide off.

But, Rizzi said she hopes the city would allow Mr. Toad’s the use of the second level of a city-owned parking lot that is in the alley behind the tavern.

“I think it will be up to each restaurant and bar to decide what they want to do,” Rizzi said.

To Jim Bosco, owner of Major Stokes, the city’s decision to permit outside drinking and dining in designated public areas is a good move in a time when businesses are limited in their operations.

“I really think the city has embraced the spirit of helping out the small businesses,” Bosco said.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board also helped in easing restrictions by permitting outside seating in both licensed and unlicensed locations, with social distancing requirements. Drinking in the unlicensed locations is not permitted, but patrons can take out alcohol.