By Hadassa Kalatizadeh
A New Jersey diner has again welcomed patrons to enjoy indoor dining, despite Governor Phil Murphy’s Coronavirus orders and despite action by the police to change the eatery’s locks.
Debbie and Brian Brindisi, owners of Lakeside Diner in Forked River, got a call from their alarm company at 4:30 a.m. on Friday informing them that all of the diner doors had been broken into, NJ.com reported. “We came down here,” Debbie said. “The [Ocean County] sheriff’s department was here. A locksmith was here. Lacey Township police were here. They were changing the locks.” Brian forced his way in, refused to leave and proceeded to open up for indoor breakfast service. Though the diner has outdoor seating, it has allowed customers to eat inside since June despite the ban. The diner had already received several citations in connection with their indoor reopening.
The owners maintain that they are within their rights, saying they require the indoor business to stay on top of expenses. “As well as a need financially to pay our bills here, pay our bills at home, pay our employees, it’s also a constitutional right,” Debbie said.
William Spencer, a diner enthusiast from Jersey City who is working on a documentary about the diner, told the NY Post that he went to support them on Sunday and have breakfast there after hearing about the incident. He said the diner was taking temperatures before allowing entry, had a large bottle of hand sanitizer for patrons’ use and used only every other indoor table to adhere to social distancing. “It was awesome. They did a great job,” said Spencer. “Some of these diners have been in business for close to 70 years. How do you build a business and no one’s there to reassure you’re going to keep it? It’s very scary,” he added.
As per the Post, Murphy commented on Friday, saying the lock change by the police, was done to direct a loud message to the diner’s owners, and set an example for other businesses which defy the emergency orders set in place to keep people safe and inhibit the spread of COVID-19. “It’s irresponsible, selfish behavior,” the governor said.
New Jersey and New York City have yet to set a date for the reopening of indoor dining, to the dismay of many struggling business owners.
