Liquor, construction, auto sales see limited return
As spring flowers bloom, the state's economy is ready to emerge from its deep freeze as the governor lifts some restrictions on specific businesses next week.
Last week, state stores began curbside liquor pickups at a 176 locations across the state, including two in Cranberry Township.
Starting Monday, curbside pickup will expand to more state stores and online auto sales will begin. Construction workers will be allowed to return to the job sites Friday but following COVID-19 pandemic safety guidelines.
Gov. Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 841 on Monday allowing for auto dealers to notarize and complete sales through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Online Registration Program.
This would allow online sales the essential transactions needed for the exchange, but it doesn't allow all notaries to open their doors.
Tim Rogers owns the Cranberry Messenger Service in Cranberry and A-Notary in Butler. The business also has three other locations in surrounding counties.
“People like me,” Rogers said. “We are not permitted to be open yet.”
Rogers said the newly allowed notarization happens on the dealer's end, and does not involve him. He said this means his locations will remain closed, despite being fully capable of online and remote services.
Rogers said the pandemic has been particularly hard on his business, which would have considered this the “busy season.” Instead, Rogers said his heart broke as he had to lay off 19 employees.
He said he and his staff have remained optimistic, and he has been preparing for their eventual return by installing shields at the offices and other safety measures.
“Like everyone else, I'm hopeful we get through this and get the country back to some semblance of normalcy,” he said.
While some businesses have yet to be cleared for reopening, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced Friday it will expanded its locations offering curbside pickup in Butler County to nine.
The nine locations include: Northgate Plaza in Harmony; Moraine Pointe Plaza, Bon Aire Plaza and Greater Butler Mart, all in Butler Township; Main Street in Petrolia; Cranberry Mall on Route 19 in Cranberry Township; Slippery Rock Plaza in Slippery Rock; and Seven Fields Boulevard in Seven Fields.
Construction starts
Construction has also been approved to take place by the state, but with specific guidelines.
Eric Tack, owner of DHT Construction in Center Township, said he has done some work, but he's excited to be back in full swing again. He said his company does mostly excavation.
“I'm a kid in a candy store when I get to play in the dirt. I grew up playing with Tonka trucks,” Tack said. “I'm very excited to go back to work and go back to normal.”
Dave Otto, owner of Dave Otto Construction in Mars, said he does a lot of interior remodels, like kitchen and bathrooms, and he builds a lot of decks during this time of year. He said he isn't sure which jobs he will be able start.“We still need specifics,” Otto said. “I might be able to build you a new deck, but I might not be able to remodel you a new kitchen.”According to Wolf's latest statements, public and private residential and commercial construction may resume Friday. His administration released guidance Thursday about what this activity will look like.For example, when working on a residential site, only four persons are permitted on the job site at any time, regardless of the buildings size. For commercial buildings, only four workers are permitted in a building 2,000 square feet or less and one additional person per additional 500 square feet.All construction workers are expected to follow state and federal guidelines on social distancing while they work.Tack said he was confused and frustrated that construction was listed as non-essential in the first place. He said Pennsylvania was one of only a few states to restrict construction.But Tack said he understood the orders to stay home.“I have friends in the healthcare business industry. You listen to them, and you have to respect what other people have,” he said. “I'm not a social media person. I didn't get caught up in all the gossip going on.”Otto said not only are he and his subcontractor rearing to work, but he has heard many homeowners getting excited about finally getting work done on their homes.“A lot of these people,” Otto said, “(are) ready to go.”What's next?With these opportunities becoming available next week, it is still unclear what other restrictions may be lifted May 8.“My administration has taken measured, aggressive steps to protect public health and safety, including strictly limiting the types of businesses and projects that may continue to operate during this unprecedented time,” Wolf said in a statement Thursday.As Wolf's plans to reopen take shape, other legislators are looking at other ways to open pieces of the economy.State Senators Scott Martin, R-13th, Ryan Aument, R-36th, Elder Vogel, R-47th, and Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-28th, will introduce a bill to allow garden centers to reopen if they can adhere to social distancing and mitigation measures established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to an announcement Friday. Garden centers were not included in the list of life-sustaining business that were allowed to remain open by the Wolf administration.“It makes little sense that smaller garden centers have been closed, but larger garden retailers, specifically those attached to large home-improvement centers are allowed to operate,” Vogel said in a statement. “This restriction will, without a doubt, put smaller garden centers out of business. Timing is everything for these business owners and the time has come to let them safely open their doors.”
