Greensburg Restaurant Week strives to provide 'sense of normalcy'

Necessity is the mother of invention — or reinvention, in the case of this summer’s Greensburg Restaurant Week, running Monday through Aug. 30.

“This Restaurant Week is less about an exclusive dining experience and more about driving business back to restaurants,” said Ashley Kertes, executive director of the Greensburg Community Development Corp., the event organizer. “Some people still are hesitant to dine out, so our challenge is to get them excited about coming out.”

Because of the state’s mandated 25% indoor occupancy limit for eateries, participants will offer a mix of exclusive indoor and outdoor dining experiences, along with takeout options.

“(Limited occupancy) has created a challenge for both restaurant owners and guests. Restaurant owners will miss out on sales from guests who would normally be packing the restaurant that week, and guests will have a harder time getting a table, especially without reservations,” Kertes said. “Therefore, we strongly encourage guests to make reservations as soon as possible.”

A list of 20 participating restaurants, their dining options and reservation information is available at greensburgrestaurantweek.com.

Past events have been limited to restaurants in Greensburg and nearby Hempfield. The upcoming edition has been expanded to include The Lamplighter in Salem and Chef Dato’s Table in Derry Township, Kertes said.

Business partners

Greensburg Restaurant Week also is partnering with other local businesses to give them a boost in the time of pandemic restrictions.

“Restaurants aren’t the only small businesses who are struggling. Many of our city’s retail shops need our support just as much,” Kertes said. “We encourage guests to visit the retail shops in downtown Greensburg while they are here for Greensburg Restaurant Week. Some businesses have adjusted their hours and are even offering special deals and discounts as part of the celebration.”

Beeghley & Co. Jewelers will offer a free ring inspection and cleaning, Kertes noted.

Shoppers who show a receipt from a participating restaurant at Lapels A Fine Men’s Clothier will receive a 20% discount on a regular-price purchase, said owner Kevin Miscik.

“We’re helping to bridge the gap between the restaurants and the downtown businesses,” he said.

‘Sense of normalcy’

“People getting out brings a sense of normalcy, a sense of community,” said Jim Bosco, owner of downtown’s Major Stokes restaurant. “The big chains will survive, but if we want to survive as a community we need to support the small local businesses. We feed off of each other.”

Major Stokes is one of the restaurants partnering with the Westmoreland Cultural Trust for a series of outdoor Love Local Courtyard Concerts at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg.

Nightly from Tuesday through Aug. 29, the theater courtyard will be the setting for a limited-seating dinner pre-prepared by a participating restaurants, along with two live musical acts.

“We’ve worked to serve up unique pairings of musicians to highlight the diversity and depth of talent we have in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Each act is planning an intimate and engaging set that will make for a great night out,” said Adam Seifert, WCT manager of corporate and community engagement.

For information and reservations for the courtyard dinner concerts, visit westmorelandculturaltrust.org.