By Allison Perrine | aperrine@tworivertimes.com
Businesses in New Jersey and across the country are being crushed by the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as government officials mandate temporary closures and order people to stay home.
Local restaurants can’t seat customers in their dining areas. Retail shops’ clothing racks will remain untouched. Income could continually decline until the pandemic is over.
The state has offered some financial relief to small and mid-sized business owners during this difficult time, with legislation to provide “100 percent compensation” for those who give two weeks of sick leave to their employees and with tax credits for those who give up to three months of paid family leave, according to the state website.
But other staff members like waiters and waitresses, dishwashers and chefs will not see that same financial support.
Some restaurant owners in the Two River area are trying to change that.
Chris Wood, owner of Woody’s Ocean Grille in Sea Bright, is now offering his customers a limited pay-what-you-can menu comprised of daily specials with suggested prices. “But if you’re unable to pay for those items and you would like to pay half, pay a third or pay nothing – no questions asked, you’re good to go,” said Wood.
The idea came from the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit community restaurant that serves paying and in-need customers. “I think it’s the right thing to do,” he said. Highlighting the difficulty that many for-profit restaurants are facing right now, Wood said he is just trying to stay open for customers, serve the community and pay his employees. He’s also trying to “keep the local wheels of commerce operating,” as Woody’s gets its supplies from several local vendors.
Woody’s has two locations in Sea Bright and Tinton Falls. But Wood decided to temporarily close the Tinton Falls location because they were stretched a bit thin trying to operate in both locations. However, Tinton Falls-based salaried employees are still working in the Sea Bright location and several hourly employees are working in Sea Bright now as well.
“We are trying to keep a good balance of workers coming through our doors in order to give them some kind of sustainable wage,” said Wood.
Over in Colts Neck, The Bagel Store, located at 340 Route 34 South, will not be charging any medical professionals for their orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible personnel must present proper identification or must be in uniform.
“The medical professionals on the frontlines are gambling with their health on every single shift they report for and we don’t know when things will get better,” The Bagel Store posted on its Facebook page March 17. Representatives just ask that people be honest, responsible with order sizes and tell others who can take advantage of the deal.
“People are stressed. People are working overtime. People are putting their own lives at risk to stop whatever this thing is that’s spreading and we want you to have the proper fuel needed to keep going,” The Bagel Store posted.
Restaurant Nicholas has organized a GoFundMe page to raise money for its staff members. The page, which started March 18, has raised $18,972 as of press time March 25, $13,947 of which was raised in the first 24 hours. And owner Nicholas Harary assures that his staff will get every penny of it.
“I never dreamed in a million years that I would ever have to stand in front of my entire dining room staff and explain how they can collect unemployment,” wrote Harary March 18. “I had to tell employees that have been loyal to me for 20 years that they are not allowed to work.” After speaking with three other Monmouth County restauranteurs last Tuesday, he realized that combined, they had laid off over 2,000 staff members.
He and his wife Melissa felt called to start the fundraiser after receiving two checks in the mail from customers with “simple notes” saying that they were thinking of the staff and wanted the money to be distributed to them.
“Oh my god, it’s the first time that I had to take a moment to collect my emotions. I’ve had countless other guests text, email, call to ask how they can help,” he said.
Donors have the option to write comments on the GoFundMe page. One donor, who identified himself as Paul, wrote, “My wife and I are seniors with our own health issues and limited fixed income, so we too can identify with all the current goings-on. We have managed to treat ourselves with a visit to Nicholas Restaurant a couple of times a year. We’ve created some wonderful memories on each occasion, always appreciating the great staff, fine food and, of course, a libation or two. Take it from the old guy: as tough as it is, this time will pass. May you all keep your spirits up, survive and prosper!”
