Toms River Restaurants Battling, Battered By Coronavirus Concerns

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River restaurants are turning to delivery and takeout offers as they struggle with the financial impact of the new coronavirus.

On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy, along with the governors of New York and Connecticut, issued an order announcing restaurants and bars will close for on-premise service and move to take-out and delivery services only, beginning at 8 p.m. Monday.

It was a move Burger 25 already was prepared to make, owner Denise Vetter said, as people began avoiding public places in response to requests from state and local health officials to practice social distancing to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

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"We're on all the apps," Vetter said, including Door Dash and Uber Eats. The restaurant on Route 37 was offering dine-in service until 8 p.m., but after that will be takeout only per the governor's orders. She's also offering a special, while supplies last, of one free roll of toilet paper per order.

"My weekly specials will remain," Vetter said.

The shutdown was prompted by the spread of COVID-19; as of Monday afternoon, there have been 176 positive tests in New Jersey, and two people have died as a result of the illness. COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

But the shutdown adds to the financial strain businesses, particularly small businesses, endure in the late winter-early spring swing, as they try to stay afloat until tourism picks up.

"Many local businesses are fearful of the negative economic impact that comes with social distancing," said Danielle Norcross, chief executive officer of the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce. "While we are all in this together and recognize that public health is a top priority for all, our local small businesses, restaurants, retailers and organizations rely heavily on social togetherness and foot traffic to sustain operations and wages."

"We, as entrepreneurs and small business owners, will take the brunt of these hard times as orders get cancelled and supply chains dry up," said Ralph E. Wolff, the chamber's chairmanin a message to the group's members offering assistance and resources. He also urged them to remember the resiliency that carried businesses through the destruction wrought by Superstorm Sandy and the 2008 stock market crash.

Norcross said they also suggested ways members and the public can help small businesses survive.

"Purchase a gift card now and cash it in later," she said. "This helps small businesses keepmoney flowing through the next one to two months and gives consumers a great reason to be local when it’s finally time to gather again."

Other suggestions include shopping online, including ordering takeout or delivery, such as Burger 25 is offering; shopping over the phone, and promoting the social media of small businesses.

"Like, comment, and share posts from local small businesses. Help them increase their social media engagement so the next time they promote an event, new menu item or special sale, more people can see it," she said.

There are resources available to help, including from the Small Business Association, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and the New Jersey Business Action Center.

For at least one business, the shutdown was the final straw: Caneda's White Rooster on Fischer Boulevard is closing, owner Patty Caneda announced.

Caneda said she had been offering takeout and had tried ramping up the restaurant's Door Dash offerings as officials ramped up the social distancing messages and measures.

"I had one pickup order Sunday, and three Door Dash orders Saturday," she said.

In a post on the restaurant's Facebook page, Caneda said the restaurant will not reopen.

"I ask that you continue to support small businesses and buy local because you are keeping someone’s dream alive," Caneda said in the post. "Life is so short and all we want to do is make it the best it can be. Some of us take a risk because there is nothing else that will make us complete and proud of ourselves. I am one of those people. I won’t stop dreaming. I won’t stop trying and I hope you will see me again."

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