Skip the Stove – Support a Local Restaurant Tonight

Skip the Stove – Support a Local Restaurant Tonight (op ed)

By: Daniel Klim
President & CEO, New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association

The first two months of 2026 have brought harsh winter conditions across the Garden State, impacting small businesses statewide – including many in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Between historic snowstorms, icy roads, school closures, and frigid temperatures that kept many residents home, restaurants across our state have faced repeated disruptions during what is already one of the slowest seasons of the year. For many small, independent operators, even a few lost nights of business can have a significant impact.

New Jersey’s restaurants don’t just serve meals – they serve communities. They sponsor everything from sports teams to school plays, donate gift cards to local fundraisers, employ our neighbors, and provide first jobs to thousands of young people entering the workforce. They are family-owned diners that have been open for decades, neighborhood pizzerias that know your order by heart, and corner cafés that keep our downtowns vibrant year-round.

When winter weather forces closures, the fixed costs don’t stop. Rent is still due. Utility bills still arrive. Employees still rely on paychecks. And for seasonal communities in particular, every winter weekend matters.

That’s why now is the perfect time to show up.

Take a night off from cooking. Order takeout from your favorite local spot. Make a reservation you’ve been meaning to make. Grab pizza for the family, pick up sandwiches for the office, or treat yourself to dinner delivered to your door. Small actions, multiplied across communities, make a big difference.

Supporting restaurants isn’t just about convenience – it’s about sustaining local jobs, preserving community gathering places, and ensuring that the businesses that power our main streets are still here when summer arrives.

So as we thaw out from a long winter, I encourage you: take a night off. Order out. Stop in. Show your local restaurant some love.

They’ve been there for you. Now is a great time to be there for them.