STATE COLLEGE, PA – Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread across the United States, local businesses everywhere have struggled to keep their doors open. Centre County was no different; Downtown State College bars and restaurants saw sudden closures and regulations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Some bars and restaurants were able to see more business during most of 2020. Outdoor seating provided a safe environment for food and alcohol service. Cafe 210 West, a popular State College bar, has both a front and back patio that owner J.R. Mangan utilized during the strict pandemic restrictions.
J.R. Mangan – Cafe 210 West Owner
“[Business] definitely slowed down, about 50%.We were lucky because of our outdoor seating, that definitely helped a lot with spacing people apart.”
Mangan wasn’t the only part of Cafe210 West that felt the pressure of the pandemic. His staff also experienced hardship during the 2020 year.
Brent Williams, a Cafe210 West employee said, “Working here at cafe during COVID-19 was a really difficult experience for all of us. We had to make sure that we were following all the guidelines that the borough was putting out, and making sure that all of the customers were following the guidelines.”
As COVID-19 vaccination rates rise and regulations slowly disappear, businesses like Cafe210 West can finally return to normal. But for now, everyone is doing their part to keep Centre County as safe as possible.