PITTSBURGH — After months of hardship -- fighting to stay open, applying for loans and furloughing staff -- outdoor tables in downtown Pittsburgh are ready and restaurants are finally starting to reopen.
Just last month, many city streets were dark and desolate -- empty high-rise offices, boarded-up shops and closed signs on what seemed like every restaurant door.
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“We were only open for nine days before COVID hit, so it’s been a really hard transition,” said Kelly Gerster, general manager at The Standard.
Popular restaurants on Penn Avenue like Sienna Mercato, The Bakersfield and The Standard are reopening, and downtown is breathing new life.
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“We’ve been on a wait list the last two weeks because people are definitely coming out,” said Gregory Huertas, regional partner at The Bakersfield.
City officials are helping with socially distanced dining to make up for the 25% indoor capacity restaurants must adhere to. It’s starting to pay off.
The restaurants are bringing in live music, giving families a reason to make downtown a safe destination.
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