Toms River Tea House Owner Hopeful Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Seven years ago, Vicki Weiss spent five months living at the Mathis House, in a historic Victorian home in downtown Toms River, forced out of her Ortley Beach home by Superstorm Sandy.

Then named 600 Main, the shelter it provided and the history it exuded made Weiss fall in love with it. Last fall, she and Ron Mills took the leap and bought the bed-and-breakfast and tea room business from its previous owners.

Now, as the new coronavirus spreads across the state and public gatherings are discouraged to help slow its progress, Weiss is hoping everything they've built so far will survive. And she's hoping authorities at all levels will help small businesses weather what looks to be a very difficult time.

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"Everything was going 100 percent my way," Weiss said Wednesday. Her tea service events were booked solid. She had bridal showers and baby showers booked and rooms reserved.

That was until the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 led to shutdowns of schools, malls and non-essential businesses, along with limits on restaurants and bars. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

"We had so much local support the holiday season was incredible. We had ordered a new sign, I was scheduled to do some wedding shows, and I opened a gift shop," she said. "I have a hundred Easter bunnies and chocolates coming that I ordered in December."

"Within one week the business has been turned upside down," Weiss said.

The rapid spread — there are now 427 cases statewide and at least 10 in Ocean County, as of Wednesday afternoon —and urgings that people practice social distancing led to the cancellation of 250 meal reservations over the weekend. It's also led and has additionally led to bridal showers and baby showers being postponed, and people seeking the return of deposits.

It's a huge hit for a small business, especially one that is still new.

"It's insanity the amount of loss," Weiss said. "People prebook for my five-course meals. You order all the food, cook everything, and then this happens."

They ended up with a handful of customers over the weekend. Most of the time was spent answering phone calls, however.

"I had 150 reservations for my princess tea parties," she said. All of them are canceled. And with dine-in meals being barred for the time being, Weiss said they are offering takeout for customers who've fallen in love with the scones and the homemade soups, like so many other restaurants.

Because the bed-and-breakfast portion of the business falls under the category of essential businesses as a "hotel," she and Mills are still able to offer that service. There are five guest suites and a VIP suite available for reservations, and she said they have had people take advantage of the opportunity to get away from the world for a while by booking an overnight stay.

"With this smaller lodging facility, I can keep up with the amount of sanitizing so people can feel secure that their environment is clean and safe," Weiss said.

The Victorian tea sittings, however, are the real draw. They include the five-course meal — homemade soups such as carrot and coconut, chicken bisque, and cheddar; salad, homemade scones with lemon curd and clotted cream, tea sandwiches such as Downton Abbey Egg Salad and Mathis House Olive and Tarragon Tuna Salad, and gourmet desserts such as dark chocolate tarts — plus a tour of the 8,500-square-foot home.

"We're one of the top 10 tea rooms in New Jersey," she said. "To experience the tea service in this house takes two hours." People drive from all over to enjoy the food and the historic home.

The Mathis House, is the former home of Thomas A. Mathis, a leading political figure in Ocean County in the late 1800s and early 1900s for whom the Mathis Bridge on Route 37 into Seaside Heights is named. The mansion, an example of Dutch Revival architecture, was built in 1897. The three-story building's Victorian flair has been preserved, along with the original carriage house.

The coronavirus shutdown not only hurts Weiss and Mills, but is particularly challenging for their employees: because the Mathis House had only been operating since November, the staff does not qualify for unemployment benefits.

There's a ripple effect, too, because she ordered the baked goods from a local bakery, and all of her printing was done by a local printing company. "We are just taking one dollar and passing it among our community," Weiss said.

As part of the downtown business improvement district, the Mathis House pays an additional tax, she said. She's hopeful some of those funds will find their way back during the economic crisis created by the coronavirus.

"The news can't come soon enough on how the government is going to help small businesses, she said, referring to reports of plans at both the state and federal levels to provide assistance.

In the meantime, they are taking the time to do some painting and spring cleaning so that when the restrictions are lifted, the bed-and-breakfast will be even more inviting for the tea sittings.

They have relaxed the no cancellation policy on the bed and breakfast, offering credit that can be used for up to two years for people to come stay at the Mathis House.

"I'm trying to be understanding with the community," Weiss said. At the same time, issuing full refunds would decimate the business.

The landlord, who delivered the news to her in person about the shutdown of dine-in services, told Weiss and Mills she would work with them.

"It took a million pounds off my shoulders," she said.

But there's a slim line between success and catastrophe, and Weiss said there's only so long the business can endure the social distancing and restrictions without help.

"The priority is the health of the community, but the sooner they can figure out how help businesses, the better. I'm confident if the goverment steps up, we can get through this," Weiss said. "I'm preparing for what I expect will be a good future. We're Jersey Strong."

And once things settle down, and people return to enjoying afternoon tea, Weiss already has her eye on what the first theme will be.

"I think the first tea party I'm going to have is the 'I'm Sick of My Kids Tea Party' for all the moms," she said with a laugh.

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