Cambria County, Pa. (WJAC) — Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that the Freight Station in Johnstown was visited by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, however, PLCB Secretary Shawn Kelly says the agency does not enforce the Pennsylvania liquor code nor issue citations. Kelly says the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement ensures compliance with the state's liquor laws.
In July, Governor Tom Wolf placed more restrictions on bars and restaurants after a spike in COVID-19 cases throughout Pennsylvania.
Effective July 16th bars and restaurants must offer sit-down dine-in meals at a table or booth to customers in order to sell alcohol.
The Freight Station in Johnstown has temporarily closed its doors after owner Lance Ross says the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement stopped by on Saturday.
“I thought I was following the guidelines by everybody was purchasing food and as far as I could tell the majority of people were eating food they bought. It’s just that they said it wasn’t enough and that’s where the discrepancy is what wasn’t enough,” said Ross.
Ross says the new restrictions from Governor Wolf are vague and the BLCE said they will be giving him a citation, but he’s not sure what it will be for yet.
In order to protect his business, Ross says he’s closing for now rather than for good. Ross says the BLCE told him if they came back and he was violating another restriction that his license could be suspended.
“If somebody were to come in and get served under age it’s cut and dry it’s black and white, but with the rules they have now it’s a decision made now by each individual agent whether I’m properly following them or not,” said Ross.
Ross says they want to do what’s right and open safely, but feel the restrictions are too vague to take that chance. Ross says he will keep his bar closed until some of the restrictions are lifted taking a toll on not just his business but others as well.
“I think a lot people don’t understand it’s just not me and my employees, it’s the beer distributors, the food suppliers, the bands themselves that aren’t able to play and make an income. It just rolls downhill and there’s so many people that this is affecting,” said Ross.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfnnq1tM6unqGsXZ56uK3SZp2opJykxKq6xmaerqGUmrmqusSsZKOnmKPAtbvWp2SbmaJisKrAxJ1knKCfpMCmv4ytpmaslaK9sL7Aq6ClsV2YubC%2FxA%3D%3D