State Orders Lacey's Lakeside Diner To Shut Down, Owner Refuses

LACEY, NJ — State officials ordered the Lakeside Diner to shut down Friday. The restaurant received its fourth citation for allowing indoor dining during the coronavirus pandemic.

Owner Brian Brindisi told Patch on Friday that he plans to keep the Lakeside Diner open. The restaurant offers outdoor seating but allows a limited amount of customers to dine inside when those tables are full, he says. They keep tables spaced out, take temperatures and wear masks and gloves.

"We sanitize everything outside," Brindisi told Patch. "We take people’s temperature regardless. We’re doing everything in our power to keep people safe."

The diner has received local praise from returning customers but has frustrated state officials, who have prohibited indoor dining since mid-March.

Governor Phil Murphy expressed irritation about the diner's defiance after Superintendent Patrick J. Callahan announced the order to close at Friday's state coronavirus briefing.

"We couldn’t be clearer every single darn day," Murphy said. "It’s quite clear what works and what doesn’t work. There’s anecdotal evidence of other behavior like that. We’re putting up the alarms and the flashing lights right now. Whether it’s enforcement or changing our policy, you should assume we’re not going to sit and take this much longer."

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

Authorities issued a summons to the diner July 24, which Brindisi said was the fourth the restaurant has received during the pandemic. The New Jersey Department of Health then issued the closure order Friday.

Brindisi says he does not want to harm anyone but needs to stay open for the business to survive. The Lakeside Diner received a Paycheck Protection Program loan, but Brindisi said it wasn't nearly enough to keep them operating.

"I’m not maliciously saying, 'Screw anybody,'" he said. "I'm worried about my employees."

Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Lacey Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.