HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
New Jersey ’ s Hospitality Industry is Open for Business and Summer Fun
By Diane C . Walsh Contributing Editor
Don ’ t be surprised if the salesperson behind the counter at Morey ’ s Piers in Wildwood bursts into song when you buy your curly fries this summer .
The popular seaside attraction , like so many New Jersey restaurants , eateries , banquet halls , wedding venues and others , resorted to extraordinary measures to fill their staffing needs this season .
Denise Beckson , vice president of human resources and government relations at Morey ’ s , said her company turned to a New York talent agency that normally recruits personnel for cruise ships and off-Broadway shows . These new hires tend to be performers , she explained . The unusual arrangement proved beneficial , however , she said because these aspiring actors , singers and dancers are happy to get a foot in the door at the talent agency and her company is glad to tap a new workforce .
Dana Lancellotti , president and CEO of the NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association said her 6,000 members have to be innovative to overcome the sudden staffing shortages threatening their recovery .
“ God bless us for being resilient . This is a tough one ,” she said . And Ollie Klein III can attest to it . The owner of Klein ’ s Fish Market , Waterside
Welcome to Morey ' s Piers !
NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association President and CEO Dana Lancellotti
Café and Tiki Bar on the Shark River in Belmar said he ’ s down 30 people . It ’ s stretching thin the kitchen operation and pressuring the wait staff who are often asked to work doubles .
Klein , whose family has run the business since 1924 , said he ’ s advertising online and calling former employees offering them work . “ You know what the biggest response is —‘ I ’ m getting extra money from the federal government so I
Photographer : Kip Dawkins
New Jersey Tourism Industry Association President Adam Perle
don ’ t need to work , ’ ” Klein said referring to the larger unemployment insurance benefits offered under the federal American Rescue Plan . Lancellotti said many members say the same . “ The federal government is not doing anything to help us . They ’ re hurting us ,” Klein said .
Restaurants were hard hit in the pandemic . As they work to recover , staffing and supply issues continue to plague them . Klein said he is having difficulty filling orders for fish , chicken , grocery items and brand name goods . “ It ’ s across the board ,” he said , adding that prices are inflating quickly .
Like so many businesses , restaurants were shuttered at the pandemic ’ s onset . As restrictions eased , takeout serve became a lifeline . Then when spring emerged last year many restaurants rented tents and tried outdoor seating , sometimes with the help of local government , which blocked off streets or let them put tables at curbside .
“ People absolutely loved it . It had a very European feel ,” Lancellotti said , noting that many owners throughout the state are continuing the trend . It ’ s the one silver lining in a year that continues to challenge the industry .
Food and beverage comprise a bulk of the tourism in New Jersey . A study commissioned by the state Division on Tourism and Travel said 2020 saw a $ 17 billion drop in tourism spending compared to the previous year . A total of 106,000 jobs were lost across the board in the industry .
Late in May , just before the traditional start of the busy summer season on Memorial Day
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