Scotch Plains Restaurants Adapt To Survive New COVID Restrictions

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Scotch Plains restaurants are scrambling to adapt as Gov. Phil Murphy has issued new coronavirus restrictions.

"We are trying to adapt to the ever-changing model going on around us, but it hasn't been easy," said Joe Mortarulo, owner of Darby Road Public House and Restaurant at 450 Park Ave.

Murphy announced, Monday, due to rising coronavirus cases that bars and restaurants must close all indoor service by 10 p.m. and there will be no more barside seating as of Thursday. Outdoor dining, takeout and delivery services may continue beyond 10 p.m., and enclosed, heated outdoor tents can be put up outside. Read More: Gov. Murphy: NJ COVID-19 Numbers Going In 'Wrong Direction'

Mortarulo says it's been a "struggle" to survive since the coronavirus pandemic hit. And with the ever changing rules places on restaurants, Mortarulo is trying to keep up.

"We are grinding but it is difficult. It's tough to keep staff and supplier's costs are going up," Mortarulo said.

He added that some staff may have hours cut or lose their jobs because there will no longer be late-night hours.

"It's frustrating because once again here we have to adapt and change our staff after we just built our staff back up," Mortarulo said.

Mortarulo has been pushing his take-out and delivery options to help stay afloat as capacity levels at the restaurant have remained low.

"People aren't really ready for the capacity to expand. So even if the Governor lifted all restrictions I don't think we would be at pre-pandemic levels because people are nervous about it," Mortarulo said.

Along with take-out and delivery, Mortarulo said Darby Road is launching an app for customers to make orders online. This is expected to launch sometime next week.

Additionally, for patrons who prefer to sit at the bar, Mortarulo said he has placed more high top tables in the bar area to give the same feel.

"People like to sit at high tops. We added a couple of them in the window as well and replaced traditional tables," Mortarulo said.

Gene Jannotti, CEO of the Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce which includes Scotch Plains and Fanwood, also expressed his displeasure in Murphy's latest restrictions.

"In my opinion, the restaurant industry is taking the brunt of the impact of this announcement with those restaurants that serve alcohol being most affected," Jannotti said.

Frank Peterpaul, owner of Grillestone Restaurant at 2377 Route 22, is also adapting to the changing rules by adding individually heated igloos in the outdoor dining area. Each igloo is sanitized between guests and has a space heater inside.

"It's a nice addition to our patio, rather than a tent since people still have reservations about dining inside," Peterpaul said.

Peterpaul has also taken on a new venture throughout this pandemic when he took over Alfonso's Pizzeria at 435 Park Ave. after the owner retired.

The place has been closed for two weeks for renovations, but will soon reopen as Grano Pizzeria, which means wheat in Italian.

"Throughout this whole pandemic, take-out has surged so when we saw the opportunity we took it," Peterpaul said. "I think we will maintain a nice base of delivery and catering and kind of grow our dine-in business as things progress."

Murphy announced Tuesday that New Jersey hit its highest daily case total since April – 3,877 – and the state's highest death toll since July: 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Vetoes Coronavirus Bill, Signs 7 Others Into NJ Law

As of Tuesday, Scotch Plains has reported a total of 481 positive coronavirus cases and 16 deaths since the pandemic began in March.

Countywide, there have been 22,584 cases of the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. There have also been 51,215 confirmed deaths and 168 probable deaths.

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