PITTSBURGH — Local business owners are slightly relieved that they can remain open, but they are fearful of what could happen if another state order is put into place.

After a weekend of record-setting COVID-19 numbers in western Pennsylvania and across the state, Gov. Tom Wolf issued stern warnings to state residents to follow coronavirus protocols in order to stop the spread of the virus.

Wolf did not issue a statewide shutdown order of any kind. Rather, he urged Pennsylvanians to do everything they can to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

We got reaction from businesses owners about potential restrictions of Pennsylvanians don’t flatten the curve:

Restaurants

David Montanez, owner of Las Velas in Market Square, is already seeing the effects of people staying home.

“If they shut us down again, I’ll have to close everything,” Montanez said.

Now with Wolf urging more and more to stay home and in an effort not to overwhelm hospitals, Montanez said his business won’t only feel the effects, but it may have to shut down for good

“The sales were probably 1/10 of what we sell normally, that’s what we are selling now. I can’t afford rent, employees,” Montanez said.

And down the street from Las Velas, you’ll find Savoy, where owner Charles Sanders said he’s been working overtime to keep his nearly 45 employees afloat, but it’s been met with several challenges.

“I have no problem in doing my part in limiting things, but I need everyone to do it. Don’t just put it on us, the smaller businesses,” Sanders said.

In the past, the Strip District restaurant and lounge was shut down several times by the Allegheny County Health Department for COVID-19 related health code violations, including exceeding the occupancy limit.

Sanders said he believes if the governor is urging people to stay home, more grants should be available to businesses like his.

“You have to be able to allow us to have grants that make sense and be open in a way people can make a living,” Sanders said.

John Longstreet, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging association, is also reacting to Monday’s press conference, saying while he believes in personal responsibility and enforcing safety precautions, he doesn’t know if the latest surge in COVID-19 cases is necessarily related to restaurants.

“The problem isn’t necessarily licensed safe establishments that are trying to do the right things. It’s more so private gatherings where there are no face masks or social distancing, no sanitizing surfaces and things like that,” Longstreet said.

The Venue in downtown Greensburg said they can feel the fear from customers canceling plans and reservations.

“It’s difficult for the people too because they’re afraid to come out, just because somebody says okay we’re going to reopen, all that means to me is people are saying we haven’t gotten the go ahead and we’re not coming out,” said owner Mike Villi.

Even as they struggle to stay open, they want to preserve the health and safety of every diner who walks in the door.

“If the places were all open, I’m sure it’s a risk, we respect that risk. We wear masks inside. We have cleaning people in there right now and if they shut us down again, we’re gonna be hurting. We’re gonna be hurting,” Villi said.

Alcohol sales

R Wine Cellar is a family urban winery that is usually busy this time of the year, but business is nothing like it used to be.

They’ve taken a hit but are determined to stay afloat.

We spoke to the owner moments after Wolf urged Pennsylvanians to stay home.

“Small businesses like ours, we do about 40% of our total revenue in about November and December, so telling people to stay home even though we can do curb side order. We can try to make it as creative and safe as possible, but we need their business,” said owner Kathleen Russell.

The owners also lost out on business they get from festivals and special outdoor events that were canceled due to the coronavirus.

Despite the challenges, they are doing all they can to safely remain open.

“We do get the seriousness of it, but we also put all the precautions in place we wear our gloves when serving people. We wear our masks. We sanitize, sterilize, doing everything we can,” Russell said.

The owners said they offer curbside pickup and you can order wine online, but they said its impossible them to prepare for another shutdown if one were to happen.

For now, they are just taking it day by day.

Specialty stores

Downtown specialty Chocolate shop owner Chris Weck said it’s heartbreaking to hear what our Pennsylvania frontline workers are going through.

“They are risking their lives, and putting themselves in hard positions so we need to be doing what we can and help support them and do the right thing. You know, wear your mask do the right thing,” said Weck, owner of Sinful Sweets.

And it’s not lost on Weck one bit that he needs to stay in business, in fact his downtown location has lost 80% of its business since the pandemic began, and right now, he’s the only business owner left on the block.

And Weck said if we’re not all being responsible, the numbers will go up and his doors could close.

“I’m the only one in business on this block. I’m the last one over here. So yeah, if we’re not doing the right thing if we’re not helping each other, then things are going to crumble. Things will fall.The economy will get worse than it already is. You have to do what’s right for the people next to you, just cause you don’t believe in something, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t support the message,” Weck said.

And Weck said moving forward both at his downtown location and Ross Park Mall chocolate shop, he and his staff will continue to be vigilant -- and that includes continuing to bring in professional help

“I even have the space sanitized by a company that sanitizes for COVID-19 making sure we have a clean workspace and at our other locations it’s the same thing,” Weck said.

Cox Media Group