When Jersey City implemented its shelter-in-place order, we saw our favorite food establishments shut their doors. Cellar335 included—a well-known tiki bar and small-plates restaurant. (Also known as the perfect place to go when a hookup is becoming a thing.) They announced on their Instagram page that with heavy hearts, they would be closing temporarily on March 16th.
Just a week and a half later, we were thankful to see that Cellar335 started offering spirit, beer and wine delivery with 100 percent of the proceeds going towards their staff. This was followed by the restaurant slowly relaunching takeout of food, and even tiki cocktails.
Now, they’re petitioning to make sure fellow New Jersey restaurants are able to stay afloat amid coronavirus by asking Governor Phil Murphy to legalize to-go cocktails in New Jersey. They said in a recent post on Instagram:
“We need some help from our community! Restaurants around New Jersey are going bankrupt during quarantine and as restrictions lift, we will be the last to feel the relief. Many restaurants rely on cocktails for half of their revenue, and without them, there is a good chance they won’t be able to survive. We have an opportunity to ask the governor to make ‘to-go’ cocktails legal; allowing restaurants to keep from closing their doors permanently.”
Currently, similar bills have already been passed in places such as New York, DC, Florida, Texas, Illinois and Washington. On the petition page, Cellar335’s organizer Tiki Pete says, “these sales also bring happiness to people at home! People can order their favorite drinks from their favorite restaurants, and they can enjoy it in the safety of their own home.”
“If you have a favorite restaurant and you miss their beautifully crafted cocktails, this petition is for you. This is your chance to change a law that can directly affect you during this time.”
Along with your signature, they’re also asking that the petition be shared on social media and if you choose to do so—tag @govmurphy and shout out your favorite Jersey City restaurant.
To learn more about the bill and to sign the petition, click here.
