GETTYSBURG, Pa. — On a busy day in downtown Gettysburg, visitors enjoyed the warm weather and some good food outdoors
Businesses are capitalizing on the pleasant atmosphere with more outside options.
"Outdoor dining is vital for a lot of restaurants," said Peter Bales, general manager of The Upper Crust.
The Upper Crust in downtown Gettysburg has 130 linear feet of table space set up along the sidewalk. Bales said it benefits the business and the customer.
"Fresh air instead of recirculated air, you have sunshine, you have an enhanced dining experience," he said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, more businesses were allowed to push outside of their walls and let people dine outdoors for the first time. A new bill could make that opportunity permanent.
"Outdoor dining during COVID was a lifeline for many small businesses, so this particular piece of legislation enables them to continue that business model," said State Rep. Dan Deasy.
Deasy is a sponsor of Pennsylvania House Bill 829. The Democrat represents Allegheny County and is chair of the liquor control committee.
"A lot of those provisions would've expired," Deasy said. "This makes those permanent."
Keith Petters, owner of Blue & Gray Bar & Grill said his business added outdoor dining right before the pandemic began and it helped him stay afloat. Petters said he hopes the measure becomes law.
"If we can get that to be a permanent fixture, it would help us and help other people who may have been thinking about doing it and are on the fence about it," Petters said.
House Bill 829 would also allow bars to offer expanded happy hour service – pushing from 14 hours per week to 24 hours per week.
The bill passed once in both chambers but still needs a second approval in the State House before heading to the governor’s desk.