Hundreds of bar, restaurant owners banding together to fight back

BETHEL PARK, Pa. — Many bar and restaurant owners are frustrated with constantly changing restrictions in Pennsylvania.

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They told Channel 11 the industry is not a light switch the government can just turn off and on.

“How did we get singled out as an industry as being the COVID-19 spread monster?” said Michael Passalacqua, owner of Angelo’s restaurant.

“If we don’t fight, we are going to lose our businesses,” said Al’s Cafe owner Rod Ambrogi.

“We’ve been open for 19 years now. It’s going on five months where we’ve been open for 18 days,” said Matthew Voelker, owner of Nadine’s Diner.

Many said they were fighting for their family businesses.

“With no money coming in on my end, you know, it’s a struggle right now. PUA unemployment is running out at the end of July,” said Down There Bar and Grill owner Jonas Stoyanoff.

About 200 people showed up to start organizing their plan of attack. Many said the alcohol restriction is unfair.

“Why restrict the alcohol sales? Just cause you have a plate of fries in front of you is not going to save you from coronavirus,” Soyanoff said.

“When we were at 50%, you know, we were at least staying above water. 25% is just nothing,” Voelker said.

MORE DETAILS: What you can and cannot do under the current restrictions in Pennsylvania

The Allegheny County Health Department told Channel 11 the agency received more than 400 complaints about bars and restaurants not enforcing the rules at the beginning of the month. Gov. Tom Wolf also said people have been ignoring the mask rules and social distance requirements at bars and restaurants.

“The violators make us all look bad,” said owner of Napa Prime Chophouse Glenn Hawley.

Attorney Gary Scoulos met with the group to discuss potential legal options, but said many lawsuits already filed have not been successful.

“These people are desperate,” Scoulos said.

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