When it comes to satisfying your craving to eat out, you’ve had to be content for the last few months to take out, have the food delivered, or eating outdoors. It has been an opportunity to enjoy the authentic multicultural cuisines we have on The Ave, but something was missing for people who wanted a change of atmosphere and ambiance.
That changed this past Friday—albeit to a limited degree—with the restoration in New Jersey of indoor dining. I say “a limited degree” because COVID-related regulations remain in effect. Customers and staff need to wear a mask. Social distancing—six feet—is still required between customers and between tables. Other sanitary measures will also be part of the requirements.
All that being said, it will be a welcome change for those who want to have a night on the town that includes a meal or to grab a lunch and enjoy the surroundings of the restaurant.
So, I urge you to visit our array of fine restaurants on The Ave, enjoy their unique cuisines, and know why they’re so special. If you saved your gift card from our recent restaurant gift card giveaway, to use when you can dine inside, now’s your chance. It’s all part of the gradual reopening process, which now adds restaurants to gyms and other facilities. Let’s look to even better times to come.
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You still have time to register for Main Street Vineland’s second annual Running The Ave 5K, Cumberland County’s premier road race, to take place rain or shine on Sunday, September 13, starting at 9 a.m., on Landis Avenue. It will be presented in cooperation with Second Capital Running, with Newfield National Bank as the major sponsor. This year’s race, in the light of the current crisis, will accommodate social distancing and public health. It will be an example of how future races can safely happen with large participant numbers. Registration is $25. To enter or for details, go to the Main Street Vineland website—TheAve.biz.
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Remember these important reminders:
• “Shop Local—Shop Safe” is an initiative in partnership with the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce to emphasize shopping our local businesses, whether it’s at the retail or supplier level, and doing so in a safe and responsible way, following the proper social distancing guidelines. We now have yard signs about this campaign, so you can publicize it and show your support. Contact the Main Street office to get yours.
• Take Out Thursdays continues and is Main Street Vineland’s way of helping our restaurants on The Ave., even as they reopen to indoor service. Use that occasion—and any day—to patronize our many downtown restaurants and get a takeout. Sample authentic multicultural cuisine; keep our business climate healthy.
A further reminder to go to the home page of our website— TheAve.biz—for links to initiatives to help our local businesses during these hard economic times.
Main Street Vineland is here to help. In the spirit of social distancing and respecting the safety of our staff, our office is currently closed to walk-in public though we are still working every day. We pass this information along to our businesses every Thursday afternoon on SNJ Today 99.9 POP FM, Channel 22, and on Facebook Live on facebook.com/snjtodayradio. n
For more information on Main Street Vineland, call our office at 856-794-8653, visit our exciting website—TheAve.biz—or check us out on Facebook. You can also e-mail me at [email protected].