Barnegat Bar Owner: ‘Business As Usual’ Despite Capacity Increase

BARNEGAT, NJ — Restaurants, gyms and salons across Barnegat and Stafford Township have made preparations to comply with the loosened capacity restrictions that went into effect Friday.

Indoor capacity limits increased from 35 to 50 percent, excluding employees. Seating is still not allowed in bars, Gov. Phil Murphy has said. Read more: NJ Lifts More COVID-19 Restrictions: What You Can, Can't Do

Restaurant owners and officials in Barnegat and Stafford Township told Patch how the increased capacity limit will impact businesses.

“Anything is helpful. I think the greater frustration is that it’s being doled out in such little bits,” Stafford Township Mayor Gregory Myhre said. “It will help the closer we can get to full capacity.

“It’s particularly hard for a lot of restaurants because they rely on having people sit down. Take-out has become more part of what they do. I think they really want to get back to what they’re designed to do,” he said.

Manera’s Restaurant in Manahawkin found the 15 percent increase in capacity would not make a significant difference in the establishment because tables still need to be six feet apart, according to owner Oscar Morera.

Peter Fabian, owner of Doyle’s Pour House in Barnegat, said he encountered the same issue as his staff prepared for Friday.

“It doesn’t change our numbers here because the tables must be six feet apart. I can’t add any more even though they’re giving me more capacity,” he said. “We do business as usual with the same amount of tables.”

Murphy told CBS3 last weekend that he believes New Jersey can return to some semblance of normality by Memorial Day weekend as more COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

“It should be done sooner rather than later. I would love to be able to seat bar patrons as soon as possible,” Fabian said.

Both Manera’s Restaurant and Doyle’s Pour House are preparing to offer outdoor dining as the weather warms up to add extra seating.

“Our industrious eatery owners have survived through takeout and delivery,” said Barnegat Township Mayor Al Bille. “I can only hope for 100 percent capacity as soon as possible. We need them and they need our support.”

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