What are ‘nonessential’ businesses in Centre County? Here’s what’s open and closed during shutdown
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday that all nonessential businesses in the state should shut down, prompting last-minute buying and widespread confusion from Centre County customers and business owners alike over what is “nonessential.”
The governor offered some specific examples of nonessential businesses Monday during an afternoon press conference, and further clarified in a press release later that day.
Nonessential businesses, according to Wolf, are “public facing industries” that include entertainment, hospitality and recreation facilities — community and recreation centers; gyms; yoga, barre and spin studios; hair salons and barber shops, nail salons and spas; casinos; concert venues; theaters; sporting event venues and golf courses; and retail facilities like shopping malls.
“We strongly urge nonessential businesses across the commonwealth to do their part by temporarily closing as we work to flatten the curve and protect the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians,” Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin said in a news release.
The Wolf administration wants businesses to act now before the governor or the Secretary of Health finds it necessary to compel closures under the law for the interest of public health, said a press release. So far, the governor is not using the state police to enforce closures, as he doesn’t feel that is a good use of the state’s resources, Davin said in a Tuesday press conference.
Restaurants can remain open, with limitations
Restaurants and bars should close dine-in facilities and offer only carry-out, delivery and drive-thru beverage and food service, Wolf said. Businesses that already operate on a non-eat in basis may continue to do so, he said. He added that restaurants still operating should “employ social distancing best practices,” which recommend people stay 3-6 feet from each other and “avoid gatherings of 10 or more people.”
The Wolf administration is also recommending other businesses, like legal services, business and management consulting, professional services and insurance services, have employees work remotely, telecommute or employ social distancing.
Essential services and sectors that may continue to operate during the shutdown include but are not limited to food processing, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, feed mills, construction, trash collection, grocery and household goods — including convenience stores — home repair and hardware and auto repair, pharmacy and other medical facilities, biomedical and health care, post offices and shipping outlets, insurance, banks, gas stations, laundromats, veterinary clinics and pet stores, warehousing, storage, and distribution, public transportation, and hotel and commercial lodging, according to Wolf.
What’s open and what’s closed in Centre County?
In Centre County, dozens of businesses have closed their doors for two weeks, under an air of general unease and uncertainty. But while some are shuttered, others are finding creative ways to stay open.
What’s closed?
- Ice cream shops, like Penn State’s Berkey Creamery
- The Nittany Mall
- Co-working and event spaces
- Concert venues, including The State Theatre
- HUB-Robeson galleries, Penn State bookstore and all HUB dining options
- Clothing stores
- Day cares (with some exceptions)
- Some restaurants
- Movie theaters
- PennDOT driver’s license centers
- Dance, yoga and exercise studios
- Gyms, including the YMCA of Centre County
- Golf courses, including the Penn State Golf Courses
- State park visitors’ centers and facilities
- State-owned wine and liquor stores as of 9 p.m. Tuesday
What’s open?
- Food markets and convenience stores
- Gas stations
- Grocery stores
- Pharmacies
- Beer distributors
- Hospitals and health care offices
- Post offices
- Laundromats
- CATA transportation
- Some hotels
- Banks
- Trash collection
- Auto repair and hardware stores
- Veterinary clinics and pet stores
Some establishments that have modified services include restaurants, like Bonfatto’s Italian Market in Bellefonte, which is offering takeout, delivery, curbside pickup and market and deli items for online ordering. Many sit-down restaurants in Centre County have closed their eat-in facilities while offering delivery and takeout options.
Meyer Dairy Store shut down its ice cream counter but continues to sell eggs, milk, half-gallons of ice cream and other products. Way Fruit Farm is open during normal hours with groceries, paper products and a cafe and bakery offering to-go orders.
Jazzercise on the Mountaintop closed its facility due to the governor’s order but is offering classes online. Growing Tree Toys and Animal Kingdom in State College have switched to online, phone and social media orders only while offering free porch delivery and curbside pickup.
The Tavern Restaurant in State College is closed through March 22, when it will determine whether to open with non-eat in services.
Food trucks like Rosie’s Pierogies and BBQ by Clem will continue serving customers in a to-go format only. A “kitchen takeover” at Big Spring Spirits — which has closed its tasting room but is offering delivery and pickup — scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday will continue with to-go food truck service outside.
A call to support local businesses during shutdown
Local business organizations have put out a call to support businesses in the community that will be hit hard by the temporary shutdown.
“It is important that we lift up our local economy — especially in times of need like the one we are facing now. Our community will persevere if we think and act locally,” said Vern Squier, executive director of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, in a press release.
Downtown State College Improvement District is urging people to buy gift cards to support downtown businesses during the shutdown. The organization will be processing and sending gift cards by phone and online.
“Support (businesses) now through takeout, delivery or online or visit in person after we are cleared for full service business ... they will need your support more than ever!” said the organization in a Facebook post.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 3:43 PM.
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