Longtime Burlington County Caterer Closes Doors: Report

MAPLE SHADE, NJ — A catering business that was a South Jersey mainstay for more than 40 years has shut down, and several families are reportedly demanding their money back.

Sensational Host Caterers on Route 73 in Maple Shade recently shut down, 6 ABC reports. Its Facebook page has no posts, and its website states, “We are doing some work on the site and will be back shortly.”

A recorded message that greets callers only says they are unavailable, but to leave a message and they will return your call, but the voice mailbox is full.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Vince Dombrowski told the news station he had put down about $12,500 for his daughter’s wedding. He and six other families said they wanted their money back, and the owner told 6 ABC he is working to find other caterers that can take on his clients.

Sensational Host did receive $311,785 through the Federal Paycheck Protection Program last April, shortly after New Jersey businesses shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Dombrowski told 6 ABC he didn’t understand why the caterer couldn’t repay his customers when the business had received that loan.

The leisure and hospitality industry has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic. The number of businesses in New Jersey declined by 54 percent, and the industry has been slow to recover, according to New Jersey Business Magazine.

One bright spot for the industry: in March, 5,700 jobs were added in leisure and hospitality, according to numbers provided by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday.