Governor Murphy issued Executive Order #150 permitting outdoor dining and retail sales in New Jersey. The Metuchen Borough Council approved a Resolution on May 26, 2020 granting temporary exception to existing ordinances to permit use of various public and private spaces throughout the Borough for outdoor dining, retail, and service use. Options include expanded use of public sidewalks, public parking, public streets, and private spaces.
In collaboration with the Metuchen Downtown Alliance (MDA) and the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce, the Borough has created guidelines for the Outdoor Dining and Retail program. Review the Guidelines
Additionally, the Health Department has issued Executive Directive 20-014 providing protocols for food or beverage establishments offering service in outdoor areas. Please familiarize yourself with this directive and share with your employees.
An application process has been developed for any business interested in utilizing the public and private spaces for outdoor dining or retail activities. To apply:
- Complete and submit the short application
- Include a sketch of your proposed layout
- All application fees are waived
ANY RESTAURANTS OR BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO UTILIZE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE OUTDOOR SPACE MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE BOROUGH AND BOROUGH APPROVAL IS NEEDED BEFORE THEY CAN START SERVING OUTSIDE.
Metuchen Downtown Reopening Grant
The Metuchen Downtown Reopening Grant program is to assist businesses with reopening and the costs involved in doing so in a safe, timely, and effective manner. This program and funding has been designed to be flexible to business needs, and the application is simple and easy to fill out. Some areas the program covers are protecting public health, storefronts and signage, online sales, and marketing, and outdoor dining and retail. Businesses may also identify special needs for funding they have and we’ll try to accommodate these requests as best as we’re able to. Applications are being accepted on a first-come first-served basis. No matching funds are required.
The application for the Metuchen Downtown Reopening Grant is here: https://www.downtownmetuchen.org/downtown-metuchen-reopening-grant/
Outdoor Dining and Retail Business Meeting
The Guidelines and Application will be officially announced during a virtual meeting for businesses on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 3pm. A recording of that meeting follows:
