Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association

08/16/2020

REGIONAL MEETINGS UPDATE - Central, South West, North West

This coming week is our Western Pennsylvania swing, and we want to invite all tavern and restaurant owners to our meetings. These meetings will include a legislative discussion and grassroots planning. Here are the details ...

On Thursday, August 20, we will start in our Central Region at the Bedford Tavern at 224 E. Pitt Street in Bedford. Host is Jeff Rinscheid. At the moment, we have Sen. Wayne Langerholic, Rep. Jesse Topper (legislative assistant will attend in Jesse's place), and Rep. Carl Metzgar scheduled to speak.

Then we will hold a South West Regional Meeting at 2 p.m. on the same day. Host will be Suzie Domasky of Ferrante's Lakeview. Suzie is one of our champions and has been assisting us with media interviews on this issue. At the moment, we have Rep. Eric Nelson, Sen. Kim Ward, and Westmoreland County Commissioner Douglas Chew scheduled to attend.

The next morning, Friday, August 21, we will travel to our North West Region for a 10 a.m. meeting at the Blue Collar Tavern at 2862 PA-38 in Emlenton. Our host is Betty Davidson. At the moment, Donna Oberlander, the House Majority Whip is planning to be there, and Cris Dush is trying to also change his schedule to attend. (He is in the House now, but running for the State Senate Seat now held by Joe Scarnati.)

Again, all tavern and restaurant owners are invited. Please remember to follow state guidance for an "R" license ... wear a mask and practice social distancing. We don't want any of our hosts risking their licenses.

08/15/2020

Media slam ‘Federal Office of Cock-ups’ for Covid data confusion

Here's a look at contact tracing in Switzerland, what they discovered in data collection, and the mistakes they made that initially blamed bars and nightclubs.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/media-slam--federal-office-of-cock-ups--for-covid-data-mix-up/45945870#.XyxIPkLVhG8.twitter

Swiss newspapers have not minced their words after the health office got its numbers seriously wrong about the source of coronavirus infections.

08/15/2020

Is a "Restaurant Revolution" catching on in Northeastern PA?

IS A "RESTAURANT REVOLUTION" CATCHING ON IN NORTHEASTERN PA?

https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/is-a-restaurant-revolution-catching-on-in-northeastern-pa/523-1d9021f7-05bb-4fd7-bf0d-29bde9601ec9

Some restaurants near Pittsburgh are reopening at full capacity in a so-called "restaurant revolution".

08/14/2020

Pa. Department of Health says contact tracing supports bar and restaurant targeted mitigation; here’s its data

Pa. Department of Health says contact tracing supports bar and restaurant targeted mitigation; here’s its data

https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/pa-department-of-health-says-contact-tracing-supports-bar-and-restaraunt-targeted-mitigation-heres-its-data.html

"Case investigator notes included frequent mentions of visits to bars and restaurants among positive case," a news release said.

08/14/2020

We are very happy to announce the additional of Dynamic Settlement Group as an Associate Member/Preferred Vendor. Dynamic Settlement Group will assist Members to recover money owed to them from settlements. As many in the industry are aware, there is a huge settlement involving credit cards.

Dynamic Settlement Group will be making a special arrangements for Members. Look for details soon.

08/14/2020

Pa. bar and restaurant restrictions won’t go away anytime soon as focus on opening schools continues: Wolf

Harrisburg Patriot-News: Pa. Bar and restaurant restrictions won’t go away anytime soon ...

https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/pa-bar-and-restaurant-restrictions-wont-go-away-anytime-soon-as-focus-on-opening-schools-continues-wolf.html

The state held its latest coronavirus response briefing on Thursday.

08/13/2020

www.pachamber.org

We are happy to join with our partners including the Pennsylvania Chamber in expressing support for much-needed and long-overdue liability protections for those complying with health and safety guidelines. Read the letter sent to Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation.

https://www.pachamber.org/email_assets/ga/Liability%20Protections%20PA%20Associations%20letter%208-3-20.pdf

08/13/2020

We are getting reports from tavern owners that they're seeing sudden increases in their liability insurance costs. One insurer serving the hospitality industry doubled the price for a tavern owner who has never had a claim. As always, we recommend that you ask your broker to show you three quotes. Shopping around is important. And, if you think about it, ask your broker for a quote from ISC, our preferred vendor for liquor liability insurance.

We published this story recently in our magazine. It's worth the read for those concerned about rising insurance costs ... https://pataverns.com/insurancecheckup/

08/13/2020

Pittsburgh Night Club Ordered To Shut Down After Inspection Finds Several Coronavirus Order Violations

Pittsburgh nightclub ordered to shut down after inspection finds several Coronavirus order violations
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2020/08/12/seven-night-club-shut-down-coronavirus-orders/

A Pittsburgh night club has been ordered to shut down for violating several coronavirus orders, including gathering restrictions and the face mask mandate.

08/12/2020

Lawmaker introduces package to provide relief to restaurants 'burdened' by restrictions

Lawmaker introduces package to provide relief to restaurants burdened by restrictions. PLBTA mentioned.

https://local21news.com/news/local/lawmaker-introduces-package-to-provide-relief-to-restaurants-burdened-by-restrictions

Pennsylvania State Senator Pat Stefano (R-32) is introducing a package of bills aimed at providing relief to bars and restaurants across the commonwealth in response to restrictions imposed by the Wolf Administration to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Stefano calls the Wolf Administration's restric...

08/12/2020

North West Regional Meeting Now Set

Our North West Regional Meeting will take place on Friday, August 21, at 10 a.m. The host is Betty Davidson of the Blue Collar Tavern, located at 2862 PA-38 in Emlenton, Clarion County.

Also, we have secured a location for a regional meeting in the North East. We anticipate that meeting happening during the week of August 24. More details will be released once finalized.

As of this minute, here is our Regional Meeting Schedule ...

August 20, 10 am -- Central Region at Bedford Tavern, 224 E. Pitt Street, Bedford. Special guests include Sen. Wayne Langerholic, Rep. Jesse Topper, and Rep. Carl Metzgar.

August 20, 2 pm -- SW Region at Ferrante's Lakeview, 6153 US-30, Greensburg. Special guests include Rep. Eric Nelson, Sen. Kim Ward, and Westmoreland County Commissioner Douglas Chew.

August 21, 10 am -- NW Region at Blue Collar Tavern, 2862 PA-38, Emlenton.

August 26, 10 am -- SE Region at Blackjax American Pub, 668 Ben Franklin Highway East, Birdsboro

NE-- TBA, in planning

As with our other meetings, these will be a legislative discussion and grassroots planning meeting.

All are welcome to attend. We do ask that you follow state guidance for an R license ... wear a mask and practice social distancing.

08/12/2020

Concerns of restaurant, bar owners addressed at meeting | News, Sports, Jobs - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Concerns of restaurant, bar owners addressed at meeting

Thank you for the coverage. This story covers our North East Regional Meeting. It was a very good legislative discussion and grassroots planning meeting.

https://www.sungazette.com/news/top-news/2020/08/concerns-of-restaurant-bar-owners-addressed-at-meeting/

Restaurant owners were urged by two state lawmakers and Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage & Tavern Association officials to fight back against restrictions placed

08/12/2020

If you missed our announcement on Monday on how to get a Free Membership in the PLBTA, here's a reminder.

08/11/2020

Just a quick update on our regional meetings as we've received a few confirmations of elected leaders attending.

For our South West Region Meeting to be held on August 20 at 2 p.m. at Ferrante's Lakeview (6153 US-30 in Greensburg), we have confirmed that Sen. Judy Ward, Rep. Eric Nelson, and Westmoreland County Commissioner Douglas Chew will be attending.

For our Central Region Meeting to be held on August 20 at 10 a.m. at the Bedford Tavern (224 E. Pitt Street in Bedford), we have confirmed Sen. Wayne Langerholic, Rep. Jesse Topper, and Rep. Carl Metzgar will be attending.

As a reminder, our South East Region will be meeting on August 26 at 10 a.m. at Blackjax American Pub (668 Ben Franklin Highway East in Birdsboro). Invitations to local elected leaders have been sent.

We do have a site for our North West Region Meeting. Currently, we're working out the date and time.

We are in need of a location in the North East. If anyone is interested in hosting, please send an email to [email protected]

Finally, we want to thank again Rep. Garth Everett and Rep. Kurt Masser for speaking at our North Central Meeting.

And, thank you Evan Mumma of the Loyalsock Hotel for setting up the North Central Region Meeting and to Chuck Messersmith of The Mill in New Oxford for setting up our South Central Meeting.

08/11/2020

SE PA Regional Meeting Now Set ... for those in the Southeast Region, we will hold a legislative discussion and grassroots planning session on Wednesday, August 26, at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Blackjax American Pub at 668 Ben Franklin Highway East in Birdsboro. We want to thank host Dave Walsh for offering his location.

This is open to all Members and non-members. We ask that you follow state guidance for an R license ... please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Please spread the word.

And remember, we will have a meeting in the Central Region on August 20 at 10 a.m. at the Bedford Tavern (224 E. Pitt Street, Bedford). Our SW Regional Meeting will also be on August 20. That meeting will start at 2 p.m. at Ferrante's Lakeview at 6153 US-30 in Greensburg.

08/10/2020

Great meeting this afternoon in our North Central Region. Thank you to Reps. Everett and Masser for speaking. Also thanks to Evan Mumma of the Loyalsock Hotel for organizing.

08/10/2020

Here's a quick update for our Central Regional and South West Regional Meeting ...

For Central (Bedford), Sen. Wayne Langerholc, and Reps. Jesse Topper and Carl Metzgar will be there.

For South West (Greensburg), Rep. Eric Nelson has confirmed.

Just a reminder that the Central Regional Meeting will take place at the Bedford Tavern at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 20. The street address for the Bedford Tavern is 224 East Pitt Street in Bedford.

The South West Regional Meeting will be also on Thursday, August 20. This meeting will begin at 2 p.m. and is being hosted at Ferrante's Lakeview at 6153 US-30 in Greensburg.

All are welcome. Those attending should follow guidance for an R license ... wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Taverns Rising!

08/10/2020

Free PLBTA Memberships Now Available Thanks To KonekTV.

As small business taverns and licensed restaurants struggle financially, here's a national company coming in to help you out.

Let's grow the PLBTA and have a louder voice in Harrisburg! This is open to both Members and non-members. Members will have their Memberships extended 12 months from their expiration date, and non-members will get a free year.

Click on the link to read more and find how to take advantage of this generous offer.

https://pataverns.com/konektvoffer/

08/06/2020

Restaurants back down from ultimatum, request meeting with Gov. Wolf

Tribune-Review: Restaurants back down from ultimatum, request meeting with Gov. Wolf.

https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/restaurants-back-down-from-ultimatum-request-meeting-with-gov-wolf/

The president of an association of restaurant and bar owners shied away Thursday from threatening to reopen establishments to full capacity. Instead, the board members of the newly formed Southwestern Pennsylvania Restaurant and Tavern Association will wait for a sit-down meeting with Gov. Tom Wolf....

08/06/2020

We've now added a meeting for the Central Region, and have identified hosts for the NW and SE Regions. These meetings will be legislative discussions and grassroots planning for when the state legislature returns to Harrisburg in September. Details are below for each location scheduled. All are welcome. Please follow state COVID guidance for an R license when attending ... wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Here is the future meeting schedule:

August 10, 4 pm -- NC Region at Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company, 241 PA-14, Trout Run

August 20, 10 am -- Central Region at Bedford Tavern, 224 E. Pitt Street, Bedford

August 20, 2 pm -- SW Region at Ferrante's Lakeview, 6153 US-30, Greensburg

SE -- TBA, in planning

NW -- TBA, in planning

Again, we want to thank The Mill in New Oxford for hosting our SC Region Meeting.

08/06/2020

White Rose Cleaning Services ... one of our awesome preferred vendors working to keep Member establishments thoroughly clean including fogging to kill viruses. Thomas Burger | [email protected] | 717-676-8366 #PaTaverns #PaRestaurants #COVID19

08/05/2020

South West Regional Legislative Planning Meeting Now Planned ... August 20 at 2 p.m. Host will be Suzie Domasky of Ferrante's Lakeview. Address is 6153 State Route 30 in Greensburg. Suzie is one of our champions and we thank her for offering her location for this meeting. As we gear up for September session days, this meeting will be used to organize the South West. This will be a legislative planning discussion based upon PLBTA recon at the state capitol. The PLBTA will be inviting local state senators and representatives to the meeting. All are welcome.

If you're in SW PA, please mark your calendar to be at Ferrante's Lakeview on August 20 at 2 p.m.

If attending, please be sure to follow state guidance for an R license. Wear a mask and social distance.

08/05/2020

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT COMING EARLY NEXT WEEK ... we are in the process of finalizing an arrangement with a national company that is willing to pay for the Membership Dues into our Association for any Pennsylvania tavern or licensed restaurant for one year. Current Members interested in this offer would have their Membership extended for 12 months. The company is involved in sports betting education, information, and promotion ... and has an awesome product that they're going to give to those joining at no cost. This will be a great opportunity for both Members and Non-Members.

Look for an official announcement and details on August 10.

08/05/2020

Our preferred vendor for liquor liability insurance is Integrated Specialty Coverages (ISC). They provide General Liability, Liquor Liability, and Property insurance products. ISC has developed a Restaurant, Bar & Nightlife program (GL/Liquor/Property) underwritten by a team with more than 40 years of combined experience. The program provides exceptional coverage options with best in class service and supporting technology.

Ask your broker about coverage from ISC. And have your broker mention to ISC that you're a PLBTA Member!

08/04/2020

Thank you to those who attended this afternoon's South Central Regional Meeting in New Oxford at The Mill. Also thank you to Chuck Messersmith for hosting on his deck. We had nearly 40 attend. It was a good conversation. Lots of support for organized taverns.

Next, we're heading to Lycoming County on Monday. And, we're working on a meeting in Bedford County as well.

If you're not a Member, consider joining today ... https://pataverns.com/annual-membership-v2/

08/04/2020

Wolf is still counting on Pa. to follow pandemic rules, but cops are on standby | Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Great job by our Board Member Jim DeLisio in this article. Thank you Jim for being a part of organized taverns.

Pennsylvania Capitol-Star: Wolf is still counting on Pa. to follow pandemic rules, but cops are on standby https://www.penncapital-star.com/blog/wolf-is-still-counting-on-pa-to-follow-pandemic-rules-but-cops-are-on-standby/

“Our goal is to maintain voluntary compliance through mutual respect for one another,” a senior Pennsylvania State Police official said.

08/04/2020

Thank you to these 40 #PaTaverns and licensed #PaRestaurants that committed to being a part of #OrganizedTaverns through our Association by renewing or joining for the first time between June 9 and July 8. They're all listed in the August edition of Pennsylvania Beverage Media - the official magazine of Pennsylvania taverns and licensed restaurants. Not a Member? Consider joining the team and fighting for establishment owner rights at the state capitol https://pataverns.com/annual-membership-v2/

08/03/2020

North Central Region Meeting Now Planned

With the help of Member Evan Mumma of the Loyalsock Hotel, the North Central Region is organizing a meeting to also come together as one and support organized taverns. The meeting will be held on Monday, August 10, at 4 p.m.

The meeting will be held at the Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company, located at 241 PA-14 in Trout Run. Scheduled to speak is Chuck Moran, PLBTA executive director.

All counties are invited to participate. Those in Bradford, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union are encouraged to participate.

If attending, please remember to follow state guidance by wearing a mask and following social distancing recommendations.