Burlington County Restaurant Week kicked off at Marcello’s in Bordentown City, beginning a week of specials from dozens of restaurants all over the county.
Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson and Commissioner Tom Pullion helped kick off the week with a visit to Marcello’s Coal Fired Restaurant and Pizza in downtown Bordentown City on June 22, where they celebrated the contributions that restaurants make to local communities, according to information provided by the county.
Marcello’s is family-owned and has been one of the stars of the county’s dining scene for the last 17 years.
“Restaurants are more than just a place to eat, drink or relax. They are the places we gather as families and meet friends and neighbors. They are employers and job creators, and they attract people to our downtown Main Streets and commercial districts. These businesses also give back and support their neighbors and communities,” Hopson said in the statement. “Burlington County is blessed to have so many wonderful restaurants and we want to support them and their employees.”
“You don’t have to travel far to find an outstanding restaurant and a great meal in Burlington County, and we want to make sure these businesses not only recover from the pandemic but thrive again,” Pullion said in the statement. “Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, we want to encourage residents to support their favorite local restaurant and to give a few others a try this week. You won’t be disappointed.”
Organized by the Burlington County Commissioners and State Senators Dawn Marie Addiego and Troy Singleton, the weeklong event was designed to showcase and promote Burlington County’s restaurants and encourage residents from throughout the region to support them.
The week officially kicked off June 21 with more than 40 restaurants, representing a variety of cuisines ranging for pizza and wings, to fine dining, sushi and Thai.
The commissioners organized the first Restaurant Week in Burlington County during the fall of 2019 as an economic development initiative. This year, the board opted to bring back the event at the start of summer to assist local restaurants still recovering from the COVID-19 and the challenges the pandemic posed to their operations, according to the statement.
Addiego and Singleton also joined up this year as co-sponsors of the event, and both senators have joined the commissioners in actively promoting the participating restaurants.
“Restaurants are more than just small businesses. They are places where friends, families and community members come together. We’ve been apart for so long, now with growing numbers of people vaccinated, it is the perfect time for us all to enjoy a relaxing night out with great food and great atmosphere, and Burlington County has plenty of places to choose from,” Addiego said in the statement.
“We know COVID-19 has been a challenge for all of us, but it’s been especially difficult on many restaurants, which have had to navigate shutdowns and social-distancing restrictions for well over a year now. Many are still fighting for their survival, and some have made large investments to create comfortable and safe indoor and outdoor dining spaces,” Singleton said in the statement. “Partnering in Burlington County Restaurant Week is another way we can help them recover and rebound. We’re thrilled to help spread the word about all the great dining choices located right here in Burlington County.”
Both senators and the commissioners encouraged local restaurant owners to register for available state assistance from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Phase 4 Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program.
More than $200 million in grant funding is available for small businesses impacted by the pandemic, including $20 million reserved solely for restaurants and bars.
Businesses have until June 30 to pre-register with the Economic Development Authority. The form to pre-register is available at www.njeda.com/njeda-announces-reopening-of-pre-registration-for-phase-4-of-the-small-business-emergency-assistance-grant-program/
Grant applications will be made available only to businesses that pre-register.
Zero-interest loans are also still available to Burlington County businesses through the County’s Health Emergency Loan Program, or HELP loans.
For more information, on the HELP loans, go to www.bcbridges.org/covid19-resources/