Jersey Shore Restaurant Owners To Murphy: Let Us Reopen

SEA BRIGHT, NJ — "Governor, please give us a chance."

That was the message from a group of Jersey Shore restaurant owners who held a news conference in Sea Bright Friday morning, essentially begging Gov. Murphy to reopen, or at least let them begin outdoor dining.

The news conference was held in the parking lot of Woody's Ocean Grille in Sea Bright.

"Please put a firm plan in place for a gradual reopening, allowing 50 percent capacity by June 5," Woody's owner Chris Wood asked the governor. "And with social distancing guidelines in place, we can reach 100 percent capacity by mid summer. Those are our goals."

There were 25 Jersey Shore restaurant owners at the conference Friday morning, including celebrity chef David Burke, who grew up in Hazlet and owns Drifthouse in Sea Bright, plus Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) and the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association.

The trade group has estimated that 15-18 percent of New Jersey restaurants simply will not reopen.

"There are two main dates we need to see," said O'Scanlon. "First, we must have outdoor dining by June 5. This is in line with what we are seeing in our neighboring states like Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut who are all opening outdoor dining June 5."

“Further, we need 50 percent occupancy dining by the middle of June. Give restaurants something to work off of. It’s been weeks of waiting and hoping for guidance with no end in sight. They cannot sit tight for a potential date weeks away while our neighboring states reopen safely."

There are an estimated 350,000 New Jersey restaurant workers collecting unemployment right now.

"That's 350,000 people who helped him (Murphy) get elected. Every week that we wait is another week that keeps these workers unemployed," said another restaurant owner. "The restaurant industry is ready to do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe."