How To Help Summit Businesses, Agencies Amid Coronavirus Spread

SUMMIT, NJ — Dylan Baker, the owner of the popular Summit House restaurant on Springfield Avenue, said this week that he had to lay off 60 workers on Monday. The fact that his popular eatery, in a historic building, had to take such a drastic move is indicative of the restaurant and retail industry's struggles to stay afloat amid the coronavirus spread.

"I think that we're well positioned as restaurants go, but I'm concerned for all restaurants," Baker said Wednesday. "Every person who owns a restaurant has worked in 50 of them, and we know a lot of people, and everyone is struggling. [The layoffs] were in every position, from managers to dishwashers. We are trying to do it on a skeleton crew right now, and it hurt."

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The skeleton crew is doing what many restaurants are doing now — offering only takeout and delivery since Gov. Phil Murphy said on Monday that restaurants could no longer offer eat-in service. Murphy also closed many other types of businesses for time being (see list here). Small businesses are trying to figure out how to survive with customers staying home.

Read about the current unemployment benefits available in New Jersey and other benefits for those who are struggling.

Summit Downtown, Inc. has been encouraging customers to buy gift certificates to local businesses, and has posted links to restaurants that deliver and small local businesses that offer items on-line (see the various links below).

And the city announced on Friday that they, in conjunction with the Parking Services Agency, are working to designate special 15-minute curbside pickup spaces downtown. The spots will have signs saying, "Curbside Pickup Only."

A recent mailing from SDI said, "Downtown Summit restaurants, retailers and service businesses are taking extra steps to make sure their spaces are clean and safe for customers. Summit Downtown, Inc. has a regularly updated list of businesses' special services or hours of operation during this time, so visit the website. Downtown visitors should follow public health officials' guidelines regarding social distancing (six feet from others) and proper health etiquette when visiting businesses or even public spaces."

Several downtown retailers are also on BeyondMain, a "virtual main street" with local businesses.

SDI also encourages customers to get the Summit VISA Gift Card from SDI to spend later in the storefront businesses.

Click this link for a running list of Downtown Summit restaurants (and retailers) offering takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery options now.

The Junior League of Summit has also been posting on social media about businesses that are open for delivery and pick up: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9uWOUNnBjG/. Follow them on social media for updates.

Baker said that, like many businesses, his establishment is running special deals, and donating some gift certificate proceeds to those in need. "You can order on line at Summit House dot com and 'Feed Your Family,' " he said, with entrees and side dishes to be reheated at one's home.

Ahrre Maros of Ahrre's Coffee Roastery in Summit and Westfield said he has concerns for business owners, but also for the independent artists and musicians whom he knows. He said that for his part, he's offering curbside pickup and mail order through his Westfield location via his website.

He said his business hasn't slowed because his regulars are now ordering coffee during the day while working from home. He also said his employees' tips have increased.

"I believe that my customers are sensitive to the possibility that if sales slow, that hourly wage-earners are vulnerable," he said. "Kicking in an extra buck or two where possible is not only helpful but boosts morale. Where would we be without the kindness of strangers?"

Ahrre has presented numerous concert series since 2000. Independent contractors like artists need help, too, he said. He had to cancel a concert he recently organized. "I want to encourage music lovers to proactively support their favorite artists by going to websites and purchasing CDs or whatever merchandise these artists have for sale," he said.

He's also started a Facebook group, Lock-Down Funhouse, for creative people to share their work.

Help local charities

Charities are concerned, particularly since there is a shortage of certain goods as people stockpile food for the weeks ahead.

There are many ways to give during a tough time. Summit has several organizations that provide regular warm meals to low-income families and individuals.

SHIP (Summit Helping Its People) continues to serve prepared takeout meals from Calvary Church on the weekdays and Oakes Center on the weekends. They welcome donations of canned goods (tuna, chicken, soups, vegetables, corned beef hash), ground coffee, and sugar. To donate, you can send a food delivery there, or drop it off at Calvary Church Kitchen, 31 Woodland Ave. Summit, 07901, 908-723-5790.

Another group, GRACE, distributes food, including milk, eggs, and non-perishables, each Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Cornog Field House to families in need, and they expect to see more people coming out as the crisis continues. They'll be posting distribution updates and their needs on Facebook or Instagram under @gracesummitnj in the coming weeks. You can find needed groceries on an Amazon wish list here: http://a.co/dNO7oXK. Or make a financial donation by visiting: ‪https://www.jlsummit.org/?nd=donate_summary‬ and selecting GRACE on the dropdown. Cornog Field House is located at ‪5 Myrtle Avenue in Summit‬.

They expect to distribute food to more than 100 families in Summit.

These are not the only local charities that need donations, and not every needy person knows where to go. If you know of someone who needs help — or if you need help or want to help a neighbor — you can post a comment here on Patch. Same goes for small businesses, charities, or others wanting to make a community post. Neighbors have been able to help each other out this way. And here are instructions to make a longer post (same instructions as for other towns).

Ryan Felmet, who recently raised over $11,000 in charity with the support of the community, said, "With recent events and restrictions put in place by the government to put health and safety first, this will undoubtedly have an impact on local business and residents. There are many things we can do as a community, including purchasing gifts cards, volunteering our time to help charitable organizations or the elderly and higher risk individuals, or simply ordering takeout."

Got a Summit news tip or idea, or just want to reach out? Email caren.lissner@patch.com.