'A lifeline:' Schuylkill County restaurant owners say hospitality relief money will help

Mar. 4—Schuylkill County restaurant owners say $1.6 million in grants for the hospitality industry will help them keep operating.

The commissioners announced last week that the county is set to receive the allocation from the state to help restaurants, bars, hotels and motels survive the pandemic. It is part of $145 million transferred from the state Workers' Compensation Security Fund under Act 1 of 2021.

Friedensburg Country Restaurant owner Christopher Clauser said the money is "a lifeline" for his business. He said he hopes it is distributed fairly.

"Getting any extra money will allow us to be able to grow, hire new employees and sustain the business," he said.

Clauser said he would use the money not only for payroll and daily expenses, but for the extra expenses incurred related to the pandemic, including purchasing extra cleaning supplies, installing plexiglass on counters and buying face masks for employees.

He noted "very good" support from customers.

"People have left us extra tips because they knew the restaurant industry was struggling," Clauser said.

Carmelo Valenti, owner of Carmelo's Roman Delight near Orwigsburg, said he thinks the money is great for restaurants that have had to either shut down or alter their operations.

"It's nice that they recognize us," he said. "Anytime they can lend a hand, it's good."

Valenti said any funding he receives will go toward payroll and daily operations. He employs 20 people full time, who continued working during the pandemic, and about 20 part time.

He said he is grateful to his customers for supporting not only Roman Delight, but other businesses.

John Challenger, co-owner of Crimson House in Pottsville, said he is excited about the relief money.

"As soon as I find out how to apply, I will do it," he said. "Last year was a struggle and any help is appreciated."

Challenger said he plans to use the money for payroll, mortgages and utilities.

Local restaurant owner Savas Logothetides, executive director of the Pottsville Area Development Corp., said the money is "much needed" industrywide.

"My hope is that it will have a seamless and transparent application and disbursement of funds," said Logothetides, who owns Wheel restaurant in Pottsville and Tamaqua and co-owns Charlie's Pizza and Subs in Pottsville. "It is important to get this money to as many restaurants in the county as possible and as quickly as possible."

Businesses eligible to receive the money have to have less than 300 full-time employees and a net worth of under $15 million. Individual grants cannot be less than $5,000 or exceed $50,000. (See separate story for more details.)

Long recovery ahead

Explore Schuylkill Executive Director Gina Gargano said the hospitality industry has not only been hit the hardest, but expects it will be the slowest to come back from the pandemic.

"Overall, the tourism industry is expected to recover by 2024," she said. "This (grant) money is super duper needed."

Various restrictions imposed on the restaurant and lodging industry by state officials, which Gargano said change constantly, produce uncertainty that affects supplies, staffing and other facets of their operations.

Beyond restaurants, Gargano said the county's lodging rate has been down in line with the 41% decline in visits to hotels statewide. However, she expects when the weather gets warmer, more people will visit the county for recreation.

Explore Schuylkill will make sure information on the relief money is relayed to members and the public, she said.

Pottsville Business Association President Dave Clews said the money will help businesses in the hospitality industry stay open.

"Hopefully it will allow them to bring back their inventory and get them caught up to where they were pre-pandemic," he said.

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028; @Cleespot on Twitter