PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — During a Pennsylvania Senate hearing, a member of Pennsylvania's Liquor Control Board apologized to business owners who say the LCB's handling of the pandemic lockdown has helped threaten their survival.
The state Senate Law and Justice Committee heard from, among others, John Myerow, founder of Tria, with three locations in Center City.
Myerow said two of his locations that remain open – with permits to sell wine to go – have seen sales plummet by 85%. He described having to "jump through hoops" to obtain special-order wine for sale, and faulted the Liquor Control Board for poor communication and failure to relax regulations.
"It is beyond frustrating that amidst the existential threat that the restaurant industry faces, the PLCB did nothing to help our industry for over one month," Myerow charged.
Liquor Control Board member Mary Isenhower apologized.
"We've done our best, and clearly it's not good enough. And we can all do better," she responded.
Myerow, meanwhile, said his locations have only a 50-50 chance of survival.
