JERSEY SHORE – The week of Easter is usually a time when small businesses at the shore start waking up. However, it looks like an extra-long nap this year due to COVID-19.
Restaurants, bars, casinos, gyms and movie theaters have all been limited in some capacity since March 16 when Gov. Phil Murphy announced the closing of all places where people gather in large groups. A stay-at-home order was put in place a week later.
As the number of people infected and deaths from the virus continue to rise, the state continues to limit social interaction even more with the closure of parks and recreation areas.
It’s not good news for your favorite restaurants in town which have been barely hanging on for the past month. What would have been the spring break season has been wiped out completely, which is a time when these businesses start bringing in much needed revenue to keep operations running.
There are several initiatives in place to help during this unprecedented time. One is the Dining Bonds Initiative, which is a new national program, meant to draw funding to the struggling restaurant industry ASAP.
You can buy a “Dining Bond” from a participating restaurant now – providing necessary funds for the restaurant – and then redeem it at a later date.
There is also the Payroll Protection Act, which is part of the government stimulus package. It’s essentially a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The Small Business Administration will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities. But there have been some issues with even applying for the funding.
Gail Anderson, Associate Art Director at Surflight Theater in Beach Haven says there has been no sales of tickets for future live stage shows right now so most decisions can’t be made until they know when they can open their doors again.
She said the full summer schedule is still intact, but they are revamping their budget. They were also excited to take advantage of the stimulus package, but it hasn’t gone as hoped.
“Our bank doesn’t even have the application for us to fill out at this time,” she said. “We can’t move forward until we know if we can secure the funds.”
Anderson encourages anyone who can to purchase a gift certificate that can be used at any point in the future.
Some restaurants that have been shut down completely for the past four weeks are starting to come up with ideas of how to bring some money in while serving the community.
The Arlington in Ship Bottom just put out a feeler over social media to see if people would be interested in curbside pickup of certain staples most people can only get at the grocery store. Co-owner Brian Sabarese said they will offer a selection of produce; meats such as steak, pork chops, burgers and fish; some of their popular prepared foods like wings and noodle bowls; wine; growlers of beer and even toilet paper and paper towels on their order form.
“It’s a way to offer an opportunity to those who need food staples that can just pick them up curbside rather than navigate the grocery store,” he said. “It’s a wait and see on how well it will work out but there has been a lot of interest.”
The Sawmill in Seaside Park had to drastically reduce their staff but still open everyday offering curbside pickup and delivery. General Manager Ron Rinaldi said they are in the same boat as everyone else until the stay at home order is lifted. But they are committed to staying open and offering what they can. In addition to their regular menu, they are also offering family style dinners for people of 2, 4, 6 or 8. Rinaldi says; “We have had to reschedule our banquets/weddings for March and April, but we still have reservations coming in for future dates.”
It’s a tough time for everyone right now, but if you are able to support any of your local businesses and organizations by ordering anything you can now, it will help them remain open or reopen in the future.
