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New NJ Restrictions Coming As Cinnaminson Bar Sees Struggles
The Jug Handle Inn owner says Murphy has done nothing to help restaurants. The governor was expected to announce new restrictions Monday.
CINNAMINSON, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy was expected to announce further restrictions on indoor dining as the number of new coronavirus cases continues to spike. One Cinnaminson business owner previously told Patch business was really slow, and the restaurant business was being impacted more than any other industry.
"Business is pretty slow right now with just 25 percent occupancy," Jug Handle Inn owner Kevin Stone previously told Patch while discussing the pandemic. "The governor has done nothing to help bar and restaurant owners."
During a news conference Monday, Murphy announced that bars and restaurants will soon need to close all indoor service by 10 p.m. Outdoor dining and takeout and delivery services may continue beyond 10 p.m., and enclosed, heated outdoor tents can be put up outside.
There will be no more barside seating, but tables can be placed within 6 feet of each other, as long as there are barriers in place. Read more here: Gov. Murphy: NJ COVID-19 Numbers Going In 'Wrong Direction'
"I've had to reduce hours for all my staff," said Stone, who said many of them are stuck as the pandemic drags on. "They can't go to another bar or restaurant. Some can get partial unemployment benefits. I don't know what's going to happen in November."
The restriction on serving food between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. will hit the bar industry especially hard, with many bars in the state regularly remaining open until 2 a.m. As it stands currently, the Jug Handle Inn is open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Sweetwater Bar and Grill is currently open until 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Whistlers Inn is open until 10 p.m.
The Cinnaminson Diner may also take a hit, as it is open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 1 a.m. on Thursday; and is open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday.
All establishments also offer takeout. Last month, Cinnaminson Township Committee extended outdoor dining for another 180 days. Read more here: Outdoor Dining In Cinnaminson Extended Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
While the weather will turn cold and stay cold eventually, it was unusually warm this weekend, creating some opportunity for local restaurants.
"When it drops into the 50s, no one will want to sit outside," said Stone, who said his two-story restaurant can hold about 33 people. With outdoor dining, they can probably accommodate about 100, but he said, "there's going to be a big drop in outdoor dining."
It's one reason Stone and others have been anticipating an increase in indoor capacity. Last month, State Sen. Troy Singleton (D-7) called on Murphy to expand indoor dining capacity. That came shortly after Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey President and CEO Christina Renna made a similar plea. Read more here: Give Restaurants A Chance To Survive, SJ Chamber Head Says
Murphy's announcement comes as the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase. Murphy will make the announcement after New Jersey had more than 5,000 new cases over the weekend, hitting the daily 3,000 case mark for the first time since April.
On Monday morning, Burlington County officials announced that Cinnaminson had 12 new cases over the weekend. The township has now had 413 cases of the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. Last week, it was announced that an 81-year-old Cinnaminson woman had become the 29th resident to die as a result of the virus.
Countywide, there have been 10,160 cases of the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. The county surpassed 10,000 cases this weekend. There have also been 495 confirmed deaths and 54 probable deaths.
Additional Info
Media Contact : Anthony Bellano, Patch Staff | https://patch.com/users/anthony-bellano
Source : https://patch.com/new-jersey/cinnaminson/cinnaminson-business-owner-struggles-new-nj-restrictions-coming
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