This week, there has been debate at the local, state, and federal level regarding the pandemic restrictions set by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. These debates have included restrictions on restaurants and bars.

Earlier this week, a federal judge  struck down Gov. Tom Wolf's pandemic restrictions that required people to stay at home, placed size limits on gatherings and ordered "non-life-sustaining" businesses to shut down, calling them unconstitutional.

Wolf, however, responded Tuesday, saying that contrary to "misinformation from the legislature, we are reopened". 

Many business owners and business leaders, however, do not see this in the same way. 

New stats and projections suggests they may not be wrong. 

Jake Rouch, VP for Economic Development at the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, has constantly worked with businesses during the pandemic, hearing what concerns owners may have. 

Rouch is worried on a few fronts: first, he believes the mandates of 25% capacity (which will increase to 50% Monday), are disproportionately affecting bars and restaurants in the Erie area. Second, it's slowing Erie's economic recovery. 

Immensely. 

"Erie's recovery, as far as jobs, and those continued [unemployment] claims, we know that Erie is trailing the state by about 30%", Rouch said. "While the state has done a good job of pulling themselves up, when you do the math, Erie county is about 30% behind that". 

Not having a strong economic recovery has also put a burden on the financial well being of several local restaurants. Many of them, Rouch worries, won't be able to make it much longer. 

"I would venture to say you're going to see 30% fewer bars and restaurants in Erie county a year from now", Rouch said. "If the restrictions were to be increased, you would surely see that number go up, as well".  

The potential of 1 in 3 establishments closing down has several business owners and employees worried. Matthew Jessey, Lead Bartender at Voodoo Brewery, is one of them. 

He fears that if the restrictions were to be upheld after the Governors office appeal, the pressure on places to close would simply continue to mount. 

"[Businesses] are all family here", Jessey said. "I feel bad for the owners who will have to cut their sales because of the alcohol hours rule, and the businesses who will have to cut hours".

Rouch also noted that most bars and restaurants in Erie were "not designed to be at anything less than 100%" capacity. He believes before that percentage is restored, business will continue to decline, while potential closure numbers skyrocket. 

This story was supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.