Bielat Santore & Company Releases NJ Restaurant Reopening Playbook
A collaboration from some of the industry’s most reputable restaurant operators. Bielat Santore & Company has formed a task force comprised of multi-unit restaurant operators to collaborate on ideas, procedures, strategies and goals as they relate to the preparation for and the reopening of restaurants and other hospitality-based businesses in New Jersey. The Mission of this “task force” is to provide a collaboration of knowledge, expertise and innovative thinking from some of the industry’s most reputable restaurant operators, that will yield a strategy for all independent restaurateurs to follow, assisting all in the transition back to “business as normal.” No one person will have all the answers, as there are so many things to consider. Safety is an important concern, but just as important is the entertainment aspect of the business. Many customers are not going to want to be eating out without the social benefits that restaurants and bars provide. Furthermore, many will not be interested in wearing masks or having their temperatures taken. Restaurants are not going to be profitable having to operate with a dining room that is one third empty. We need to work together not merely for survival, but for success!
Asbury Park Working on Outdoor Dining Plan
Moving out into the streets. The Asbury Park City Council has been working on a plan to extend outdoor dining and outdoor retail displays into public rights-of-way, including sidewalks and streets. The plan would accommodate next week’s reopening of outdoor dining amid the coronavirus outbreak. The plan would afford businesses additional outdoor space to assist in the reduction of capacity and social distancing requirements. The city is currently confirming logistics and necessary requirements to expand footprints and will be creating a 2020 Outdoor Dining and Outdoor Retail Sales Temporary Permit so businesses can request use of public rights-of-way.
NJ Declines Morristown’s Request to Shut Down South Street
And expand outdoor dining. As New Jersey restaurants prepare to serve customers outside only, the state declined Mayor Tim Dougherty’s request to shut down parts of South Street and expand outdoor dining. Beginning on June 15, restaurants will be able to open their doors to customers strictly for outdoor dining, Gov. Phil Murphy announced. To accommodate struggling businesses, Dougherty requested that parts of the state road shut down, a request that was rejected by the Department of Transportation. Together with the Town Council and the Morristown Partnership, the mayor said he would consider easing restrictions, adding parklets, and asking neighboring businesses to use their properties to expand outdoor dining. Earlier this month, the town waived all fees for outdoor cafes.
Drinking Will Soon Be Allowed on Atlantic City Boardwalk
During coronavirus closures. You’re soon be able to drink your piña colada and get caught in the rain at the same time in Atlantic City, as public drinking will be allowed on the boardwalk during coronavirus closures of bars. The order goes into effect on June 12 and will remain in place until restrictions on bars and restaurants or lifted, or seven months after the state of emergency ends, whichever is later. Open containers and public consumption will be allowed on the boardwalk between Sovereign Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue, and non-residential areas of Gardner’s Basin. That area can be expanded during special events, the executive order says. Bars and entertainment are in “Stage 3” of New Jersey’s multistage reopening plan. Murphy has declined to say when the third stage might begin.
Live Music Comes to Parking Lot and Elvis Performs at Carhop
Neptune. Music fans parked in the parking lot of Delvetto’s Pizzeria and Pub in Neptune for some musical Bliss on Saturday, June 6. Bliss as in the Red Bank-based cover band. They served up rock, funk and more to the late-afternoon crowd. There were about 50 people watching at 6 p.m. Some danced. Some stood. Some sat with drinks in lawn chairs in front of their cars.
Hillsborough. Elvis fans enjoyed a night with the “King” in the parking lot of Old Man Rafferty’s in Hillsborough, NJ. Elvis performed some of his “best” while waitresses served customers food “carhop” style in their cars. The owner of Rafferty’s purchased old-fashioned carhop trays and served approximately 50 cars in the lot.
Restaurants Adjust to New Normal
As states begin to lift restrictions. As the nation continues to stabilize following the COVID-19 outbreak, many state leaders are allowing doors to re-open for a return to how life was before the pandemic began. One key element to achieving that normality for some is the re-opening of restaurants across the country. While Ohio and Utah have allowed their restaurants to offer dine-in services again — while maintaining strict social distancing guidelines — other states, such as Maryland, have yet to move past outdoor dining only. Even so, the move to re-open in any capacity has proved encouraging for some restaurant owners across the country.
Did You Know?
Reopening NJ: Residents desperate for details, but Murphy keeps decisions close to the vest. Harry Hurley, a popular Atlantic City talk show host and former casino executive, pressed Gov. Phil Murphy last month to commit to reopening casinos within a few weeks. Murphy refused. Most New Jerseyans bought into his stay-at-home orders. The lockdown worked. The death toll is mercifully dwindling. Hospitalizations are down dramatically. Testing has increased. But now that the public is stepping out of its bunkers, Murphy finds himself on more complicated terrain. “I don’t understand how the Jets and Giants can practice but you can’t sit outside in a clean environment and have your food,” said Marilou Halvorsen, president of the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association. “We have wedding and banquet venues, and this is wedding season,” Halvorsen said. “Brides are very concerned. We just need a date.” She noted, however, that Murphy officials have been receptive to concerns and are now acknowledging the importance of giving businesses more notice before lifting restrictions.
Employee Tip
35 million coronavirus relief payments still haven’t arrived. he U.S. government has sent 159 million stimulus checks to Americans. But there are still an estimated 30 million to 35 million payments yet to be issued, according to new data on the progress of the payments from the House Ways and Means Committee. The stimulus checks — up to $1,200 per individual or $2,400 per married couple, as well as $500 per child under 17 — were authorized by Congress with the CARES Act. If you haven’t received your stimulus check and do not file tax returns, you must use the government’s non-filer tool online in order to receive your money. The deadline to enter your information in order to receive the money this year is Oct. 15.
Bielat Santore & Company – Restaurant Industry Daily Alerts
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Thank you and remember all of the “Restaurant Industry Alerts” and “Thursday Restaurant Rap” interviews can be found at www.123bsc.com/news/. We intend to continue to keep you informed as we all look for an end to this crisis.
