Toms River Businesses Prepare For More Coronavirus Reopenings

TOMS RIVER, NJ — As the reopening process moves forward in New Jersey, the changes are allowing more and more options for dining out, shopping and entertainment.

Among those options: Ocean County Mall. Simon, the company that owns Ocean County Mall, announced its hours on the mall's website over the weekend.

Malls are among the reopenings happening this week as the state continues to reduce restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic that have been limited or shuttered by Gov. Phil Murphy's public health emergency orders that started in March.

There have been more than 171,000 New Jersey residents who have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 since early March, when the first case was detected. There have been 13,121 confirmed deaths from the virus during that time, according to the state Department of Health.

The mall's website has been updated from the "closed" statement it had in place to saying mall hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The food court and seating will be closed, and stores will be limited to 50 percent capacity under Murphy's orders.

Simon posted an explanation of its plans for protecting customers and employees as the mall reopens on its website.

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In addition, another burst of reopenings is set for Thursday. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to resume indoor seating at 25 percent of capacity, a move that will supplement the outdoor dining they've been leaning on for the past few weeks.

Read more: Gov. Murphy: 'Hard Dates' In NJ Coronavirus Reopening Blueprint

If shopping isn't enough, pick your date and go to the amusement park or the water park. Both Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach will be open beginning Thursday. Also open will be Six Flags Great Adventure. Hurricane Harbor is in process, Six Flags officials said.

Looking for something educational or entertaining? Museums, aquariums, bowling alleys, arcades and libraries also reopen Thursday. All are limited to 25 percent of their capacity.

Playdrome Lanes on Route 37 is welcoming its league bowlers back on Thursday with free bowling and will open to the general public for bowling on Friday; reservations to bowl on Friday can be made starting Thursday.

The rides at Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach are anticipated to be open on Thursday, along with the inside arcades being open at 25 percent of their capacity.

Last week beauty salons, barber shops, cosmetology, hair braiding, nail and tanning salons reopened, as did tattoo parlors. If you weren't able to get in during the first rush of appointments, access to those may be improving.

If you're planning your week and looking to celebrate a little bit, Downtown Toms River's Downtown Night Out will continue Friday, with restaurants taking advantage of added space created by the blocking off of Washington Street from Main Street to Robbins Street. Downtown Night Out will continue every Friday through August.

Here are the restaurants that have been approved for outdoor dining as of June 25. Toms River officials update the list as new restaurants are approved.

• ARTISANS
• SERENITY CAFÉ
• CAFFE ITALIA
• CRAVE
• CAFÉ VILLA AMALFI
• AQUA BLU
• COZY KITCHEN CAFÉ
• MELLOW MUSHROOM
• MIRACLE PUB
• RIV’S
• SUNNY HUNNY
• FOUR SEASONS DINER
• A THYME FOR ALL SEASONS
• FAST BREAK
• MCINTYRES
• TOMS RIVER BREWING
• TIO JUAN’S MARGARITAS
• TGI FRIDAYS
• COOL BEANS
• CAPONES
• APPLEBEES
• JBJ SOUL KITCHEN
• TERESA O’SAKA
• FIORE ROSSO
• OFFICE LOUNGE

See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.

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