Why Outdoor Dining Isn’t as Simple as it Sounds
For N.J. restaurants. Neilly Robinson and the team at Heirloom Kitchen have always prided themselves on providing “experiential dining.” Before the coronavirus silenced thousands of New Jersey restaurants, customers flocked to the acclaimed Old Bridge spot, specifically to sit at counters that faced the open kitchen and chat with chef David Vianna — a recent “Top Chef” contestant — as their meals were prepared. Now the Heirloom staff is attempting to move that experience outdoors, from its cozy, engaging dining room to a space far less appealing. “We’ve never done outside dining before,” Robinson said. “[It’s] something I never thought we could execute in a strip mall off of a highway.”
N.J. Food Trucks are Pushed to the Brink
Half the trucks will survive,’ says one insider. The words N.J. food truck owners use to describe business the past three months tell it all. “We are experiencing a decrease in sales (of) more than 50%,” said Dean Hodecker, owner, with his wife Emily, of the Good Food = Good Mood food truck. “All the events we had scheduled for March, April, May and going into June were cancelled or postponed,” explained Marcus Crawford, owner of the Bro-Ritos food truck. “We’ve been struggling to scare up any business at all,” said Josh Sacks of Oink and Moo BBQ. “Hopefully we can salvage the season but the large gatherings are probably going to have to wait until next year.’
Bielat Santore & Company to Release NJ Restaurant Reopening Playbook
TOMORROW. Bielat Santore & Company has formed a “task force” comprised of multi-unit restaurant operators to collaborate on ideas, procedures, strategies and goals as they relate to the preparation for and the reopening of restaurants and other hospitality-based businesses in New Jersey. The Mission of this “task force” is to provide a collaboration of knowledge, expertise and innovative thinking from some of the industry’s most reputable restaurant operators, that will yield a strategy for all independent restauranteurs to follow, assisting all in the transition back to “business as normal.” The firm will release a “Restaurant Reopening Playbook,” a guide for preparation and execution this coming Monday.
Request a copy NOW by emailing… [email protected]
Is Everything Still Closed?
Check our list. Many businesses were closed and activities and events were cancelled in New Jersey to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to “flatten the curve.” Some businesses and activities are opening/resuming. But social distancing is required and wearing a mask is recommended, if not required. Although the state is gradually opening, Gov. Phil Murphy is still encouraging residents to stay-at-home.
Bayshore Medical Center Launches Weekly Farmer’s Market
With top NJ food artisans. Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel will launch a weekly outdoor market beginning Saturday, connecting the community with New Jersey farmers and food artisans. Open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in a parking lot outside the medical center, the yearlong market is designed to raise awareness about the health — and economic — benefits of what organizers are calling good food procurement. The medical center is located at 727 N. Beers St. Visitors will be required to adhere to social distancing rules and should wear a mask.
Coronavirus Has Made This Relic of the Past
The hottest form of entertainment. The coronavirus has been a pox upon nearly the entire entertainment industry. But there is one pocket of the business that is undergoing a revival, even a reincarnation: the drive-in. Fueled by the need to socially distance and the collective nostalgia for happier times, the comfort food of show business is providing a much-welcome way to consume live entertainment. The drive-in began as a distinctly American venue exactly 87 years ago this Saturday in Camden, New Jersey, the brainchild of Richard Hollingshead, who at the time was a sales manager at his father’s store, Whiz Auto Products.
Did You Know?
Every State’s rules for reopening and social distancing. To determine each state’s social distancing measures and restrictions on movement, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed executive orders from state governors since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in the United States at the end of January. As we moved into June, many states had shifted into their next phases of reopening, many of which involve opening up restaurants for outdoor dining; allowing retailers to have limited customer visits; permitting sports activities; and allowing what had been deemed nonessential businesses to reopen.
Employee Tip
Still unemployed? You can freeze these bills during the coronavirus pandemic. Still unemployed? You can freeze these bills during the coronavirus pandemic. Though many were surprised by drop in the unemployment rate in the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report released on June 5, over 20 million Americans remain without jobs. If the coronavirus has hurt your income, it’s essential to reduce your monthly spending — and you may be able to do it without sacrificing a thing. By asking around, you’ll find you can stop paying many of your bills without suffering the same repercussions you would in a pre-pandemic world. Plenty of companies and institutions are extending aid to customers who are facing hardship.
Bielat Santore & Company – Restaurant Industry Daily Alerts
A voice for our industry. If you are finding these daily bulletins informative and beneficial during this pandemic, we kindly ask that you write a brief Google review providing a vote of your appreciation. Simply Google “Bielat Santore & Company” and when the company name appears click the button on the right to write your review or; if you don’t use Gmail, go to Google Maps, type “Bielat Santore & Company” – Allenhurst, NJ into Google Maps; scroll down and you will see an option to leave a review.
Thank you and remember all of the “Restaurant Industry Alerts” and “Thursday Restaurant Rap” interviews can be found at www.njrestaurantsforsale.com/news/. We intend to continue to keep you informed as we all look for an end to this crisis.
How to market your restaurant for sale during the coronavirus pandemic. Of course, it will be challenging to market and sell businesses that have temporarily been shuttered during the pandemic, because valuations are based on historical financial data. However, whether you choose to reopen your business or not, owners can still position them for sale. So, what should you do if you want to sell in the next 6 – 12 months? Contact a good business broker that specializes in the sale of hospitality real estate and businesses. Bielat Santore & Company, Allenhurst, NJ has been brokering such sales for over 40 years and will be able to help you come up with flexible deal structures and capital sources to make a sale possible; call for a free consultation – 732.531.4200.
