‘It’s a learning experience.’ How Centre County businesses are reopening in the green phase

The “green phase” of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan is far from a return to “normal,” but as Centre County residents found out Friday, businesses that have been closed since March have sprung back to life, ready to provide services while protecting patrons against COVID-19.

During Centre County’s three weeks in the yellow phase, “closed” signs could be found on many businesses throughout the region, while food from restaurants was limited to takeout or delivery. Starting Friday, most businesses in Centre County can now open their doors, provided they follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Health.

“The businesses, employees, and residents of Centre County have worked diligently for many weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19,” Vern Squier, CBICC president and CEO, stated in a news release earlier this week. “Our business community has endured a high economic price and is looking forward to safely reopening and beginning the long road of recovery.”

The following is a snapshot of what to expect at reopened businesses around the county.

Restaurants and bars

A few days ago, like most restaurants around the county, State College’s Mad Mex sat virtually empty.

Sure, takeout was still available. And, yes, a handful of salaried employees were on-hand at the Pugh Street location. But that was in stark contrast to the buzzing Mexican restaurant and bar Friday afternoon, the first day of Centre County entering the “green phase.”

College students chatted outside while keeping their distance, masked servers took down lunch orders, and a hostess in a dark-blue mask stood outside to make sure customers entered knowing what to expect. (Customers were required to wear masks unless seated at their tables.)

“We’re trying to take as many precautions as we can,” said Molly Wisniewski, a regional Mad Mex manager that works out of Happy Valley. “I’d say the overall consensus is that we’re excited, we’re ready for this, and we want to see it done well.”

Restaurants and bars received six pages of new rules and guidelines from the governor’s office, designed to make dining out safer during the pandemic. Among the biggest changes: Capacity is reduced, either so it’s limited to half of the stated fire capacity or so customers are at least 6 feet apart; there is no standing at the bar; parties are limited to 10 or fewer at tables and four or fewer at the bar; and employees must wear masks at all times.

For Mad Mex, that means allowing only 146 customers inside its doors, despite the normal capacity exceeding 370. Around lunchtime, few spots remained outside.

A few days ago, Wisniewski worked alongside maybe a half-dozen other employees. Now, she estimated, the number of employees increased four-fold to accommodate the new business, sparked by the state allowing restaurants and bars to invite customers back inside.

For her part, Wisniewski is enjoying the change. And she’s not the only one.

“We’re absolutely excited about having the customers back dining with us,” she said. “That’s what most of us are in it for. I’ve had a lot of bartenders and servers say, ‘I can’t wait to come back to work.’ “

Fitness centers

One of many gyms forced to close due to the coronavirus, Elite Edge Athletics, will finally reopen its doors Monday.

John Kmiecinski, owner of the Bellefonte gym, has been preparing the facility — located at 3013 Benner Pike — for weeks in anticipation that Centre County would move into the green phase of reopening.

With an 80% drop in revenue, he said he can’t wait to welcome back gym trainers and members. But with safety being the top priority, Kmiecinski said he’s taken several precautions to make sure everyone stays healthy while exercising.

“With the green phase, that gives us the green light to open,” he said. “We are going to open Monday for a fresh start, and it’ll give us additional time to ensure that everything is checked and ready to go.”

Kmiecinski said the gym has been stocked with hand sanitizer, and class sizes will be limited to nine people to allow room for social distancing.

All instructors and attendees must wear face masks while inside the gym, and cleaning procedures have been enhanced.

“What’s nice about Elite Edge is that we’ll be able to clean before, during and after classes,” Kmiecinski said. “We’ll be wiping down equipment and ensuring social distancing is allowed with the set-up and design of classes.”

Throughout the statewide shutdown, Kmiecinski said the gym shifted to online courses and training sessions, and most people kept their memberships and made donations.

“We are 100% ready to go and excited to reopen,” he said.

Other fitness centers across Centre County also plan to reopen, but with adjusted offerings and varying opening dates. According to Wolf’s guidance, gyms should operate at 50% capacity in the green phase.

Hair salons and barber shops

There are some certainties that come along with personal care services reopening after a two-month hiatus, like a backlog of hundreds of unkempt customers.

Another is that clients will be wearing masks during the duration of their visits, which is required under Wolf’s plan. But therein lies an uncertainty. How do you trim the hair around the ears?

“I think it’s just gonna have to be trial and error,” Emily Johnson, owner of the Gentleman’s Salon in State College, said. “... We’re just gonna have to wait and see. We might have to get creative.”

Other temporary changes include keeping waiting rooms closed. Many salons and barber shops are requiring customers to wait in their vehicle until it’s time for their appointment, which could be delayed while employees disinfect surfaces between customers.

Walk-ins are not allowed and some services are not being offered, like beard trimmings or facial waxes.

“It’s a learning experience for all of us and it’s something we haven’t done before. You hate to say, ‘Be patient with us,’ but it’s just something that we’re trying to figure out,” Johnson said. “There might be some hoops to jump through in the beginning, but we’re just asking for patience as we try and figure it all out.”’

Entertainment/theaters

Entertainment — theaters, casinos, shopping malls — have a green light in the green phase, but must open at 50% capacity.

For the Rowland Theatre, a single screen theater in Philipsburg that can seat more than 1,000 people, that won’t be a problem.

“Social distancing is extremely doable at the theater,” said Rebecca Inlow, who is a member of the theater’s board of directors. “It makes us a little different from other multiplex movie theaters and makes it easier for the reopening.”

Opening night for the Rowland will be June 5, when it shows 1985’s “Back to the Future” at 7 p.m.

The theater will initially only have showings at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays instead of every night in order to gauge interest levels and to clean during the week.

Since studios aren’t able to release new movies until mid-July, they are offering repertory titles for theaters to show.

However, the studios are still charging to show the repertory titles and Rowland Theatre hasn’t had revenue since mid-March.

“Next weekend is the test weekend to see if people want to see older classics on the movie screen,” Inlow said. “If repertory titles aren’t what people want to see, we will stop and reopen when the new releases come out.”

The theater usually attracts about 300 people nightly, so large crowds are not expected.

“We’re happy to be able to open our doors again but we’re also very aware that the pandemic is not over,” Inlow said. “We want to do what we can to make sure everyone is safe.”

Moviegoers can expect a longer entry time in order to follow all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state Department of Health guidelines.

“If there is a line at the theater, we won’t let the line be close,” Inlow said. “We have a plan in place for the concession area to keep the social distancing in place.”

Patrons will also see some changes to the theater, with some interior improvements made while doors were closed, including retiling the men’s restroom.

This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 4:13 PM.