Gloucester Township Woman's Dreams Hit Hard By Coronavirus

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Shana Mastranduono took a chance that many people never consider when she decided to follow her dream. That dream became reality when she opened Shana’s Wild Fig restaurant in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township.

And like so many, that dream was cruelly snatched from her by the coronavirus pandemic. They recently had to move to an off-premises catering only business, Mastranduono recently announced on her business’s Facebook page.

As of Monday, no details were available about Mastranduono’s catering service. Patch will share that information when it becomes available.

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“When I decided to pursue my dream and open up a new artisan restaurant from the ground up with my children, we never expected to be in for such a crazy ride,” Mastranduono wrote in the post. “ Over the course of a year, we put in blood, sweat and tears to make our vision come to life. The fig has become our second home, literally. Our staff has become family to us. We have met and built relationships with so many amazing people who have brought nothing but pure happiness into our lives and became blessings to us.

“As a chef and business owner, I was given the opportunity to make dishes for people that would make their day special. We hosted elaborate parties, bridal showers, brunches, date nights and so much more. It was an absolute honor to be a part of some of the most celebratory moments.”

It was a business Mastranduono poured her life into. She said she put her entire life savings into renovating the building they used on the Black Horse Pike from the ground up.She poured her heart and soul into the business, and said every aspect reflects who she is as a person.

Shana’s Wild Fig was decorated with art, brought to life with live jazz music, and was a financial boon to Mastranduono for the 14 weeks it was open.

“The decor and ambiance was an environment I wanted to be in along with sharing this experience with my beloved customers,” Mastranduono said. “These guests became great friends and part of my family. My restaurant was becoming a huge success. … . I had accomplished what my heart was guiding me to do from childhood. This was dream only my heart felt and my vision was brought to life and enjoyed by thousands.”

But as a result of the pandemic, that is a business she is no longer able to run.

“COVID-19 has annihilated the restaurant industry and destroyed so many small business in New Jersey,” Mastranduono said.

In March, when the state shut down in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, she immediately adapted a to-go only model for her business. Shana’s Wild Fig didn’t qualify for any government loans as it was still in its infancy.

In the beginning of the summer, restaurants in New Jersey were permitted to reopen for outdoor dining only. At that point, she created an outdoor space, but it came at a great expense. And the weather didn’t cooperate.

“This summer was brutal and the heat was excessive,” Mastranduono said. “The storms were unlike most we’ve had. The horrible storms ruined my outside dining area numerous times. I had six tents destroyed, tables broken and plants literally uprooted! But each day I kept fighting and would personally get out there, clean up and pray that Mother Nature would be kind to me. My children and I worked harder and harder each day! To the point of sheer exhaustion.”

In early September, they were allowed to reopen inside with a limit of 25 people or 25 percent of total occupancy. Twenty-five percent capacity for Shana’s Wild Fig is 20 people, and she said this is not nearly enough for Mastranduono to recover and thrive.

“ I have been severely struggling for the past twenty-seven weeks of Governor Murphy’s shut down,” she said. “ … Most devastating, my heart and dreams have been crushed. This restaurant is my passion, creating, cooking is who I am.

“I did everything correct. I feel that this pandemic has decimated me and so many other businesses. I am extremely unsure about my future.”

See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.