Contact: Karen Geisel, NJRHA
                                                                                                                                                                              (518) 421-3435

TRENTON, NJ – Representatives from New Jersey’s largest venue and restaurant owners, and the NJ
Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA) spoke out today about how the COVID-19 pandemic is
shattering the state’s largest private-sector employer. The group presented a new safe dining plan with
enhanced sanitation protocols, discussed the challenges of outdoor dining, fall predictions, and
highlighted their Industry’s economic and community impact which will be presented through a 30-day
#IServeJersey social media campaign.

“Sadly, current estimates suggest 30 percent of restaurants that make up the culture and personality of
our state will close,” said Marilou Halvorsen, president of NJRHA, “Hit even harder, are our state’s largest
wedding venues. Their complete closure has led to a ripple effect in the industry, where professionals like
photographers, videographers, florists, and musicians, to name a few, are all out of work,” she added.
Late June, the governor indefinitely reversed the opening of indoor dining a few days before it was to
happen. This surprising shift has resulted in heightened emotional and financial hardships for all,
especially now that the midway point of summer has passed – this industry’s most robust time for partial
economic recovery.

Meanwhile, the industry quickly responded and tightened their safe dining plan to include more enhanced
sanitation efforts for less people with more social distancing, in hopes of cracking the door on reopening
indoor dining and activities soon, to no avail.
Recently an uptick in COVID-19 cases, the highest since early June has been attributed by the governor as
a result of indoor house parties and other unruly gatherings hosted by young people, where masks or
social distancing were not adhered.

WHO:
Marilou Halvorsen, President/CEO, NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA)
Marilyn Schlossbach, 2020 NJRHA Chairwoman & owner Langosta Lounge, Asbury Park
Jeanne Cretella, Landmark Hospitality
Bob Wagner, Ott’s Tavern and Braddock’s
Tom Daidone, The Estate at Florentine Gardens

TOPICS:
Safe Dining Plan and sanitation protocols
Industry contributions to community & economy
Financial impact
Predictions for fall
#IServeJersey Campaign

WHERE:
“Virtual” Press Conference (media only)
Register in advance at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G40U4SQBTkmyC6huIlRwqw
Note: All other individuals may participate via NJRHA Facebook Live

WHEN: Monday, August 3rd
10:00am – 11:00am

WHY:
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated New Jersey’s hospitality industry, our state’s largest private sector
employer. As of now, current estimates suggest 30% of restaurants that make up the culture and
personality of our state will close. Hit even harder, are the state’s largest wedding venues. Their closure
has led to a ripple effect in the industry, where professionals like photographers, videographers, florists,
and musicians, to name a few, are all out of work.
The governor’s indefinite reversal of indoor dining in late June has resulted in more economic and
emotional hardships as we pass the midway point of summer – this industry’s most robust time for partial
economic recovery.

The NJRHA president and chairwoman, along with several large venue and restaurant owners from around
the state will discuss the latest indoor dining proposal (with new restrictions), the battles of outdoor dining
and celebrations, fall predictions, economic fears and the launch of a #IServeJersey 30-day social media
campaign to highlight those struggling in the industry.

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