PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Peddler’s Village in New Hope comes to life this time of year with its dazzling display of festive lights and holiday offerings for families. So it came as a disheartening surprise for some business owners to learn of Pennsylvania’s latest efforts to curb COVID-19.
Gov. Tom Wolf made the announcement Thursday. Among the restrictions, indoor dining is not allowed, and shops are limited to 50% capacity. The rules take effect Saturday and last through the new year.
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Terri Kleinguenther, general manager of Earl’s New American Restaurant in Peddler’s, fought back tears as she tried to process the new rules. Outdoor dining and takeout are the only options for the next three weeks.
Kleinguenther said they’ve done everything possible to keep their customers and staff safe, and she believes the indoor ban will cut deeply into whatever tiny profit the restaurants were poised to make in the critical fourth quarter.
Nevertheless, Kleinguenther is determined to carry on.
“We need to group together and we will find a way,” she said.
This holiday season was already a challenging one for the people who work at the village’s 65 small shops and seven restaurants. They were operating at limited capacity, and visitors were required to wear masks outside as well as in the stores.
Kathleen Kuchek, Peddler’s retail business manager, said they’re now urging people to change their visiting habits.
“What we would encourage is shopping during the week, and don’t wait until Saturday and Sunday because it will be crowded and there will be lines outside the doors,” she advised.
Special events coordinator Joe Albert had to scrap plans for a visit from Santa and come up with new ideas to make it through the first week of January.
“We’re gonna put out more fire pits. The Cock ‘n Bull (restaurant) is gonna bring out tents, they’re gonna start cooking outside so that people can get food and still do some shopping when they have the lines waiting,” said Albert, “getting some hot cider and more warm beverages.”
In addition, many store managers will be displaying their merchandise outside as they continue to run at 50% capacity indoors.
The famous gingerbread house display will be limited to 10 people at a time, and Giggleberry Fair, the fun place for kids, will be closed.