620 Pandemic Pack Feature - v3 - FINAL - Reg3_Pages 6 / 10 / 20 3 : 21 PM Page 5 PUSHING FORWARD C O N T I N U E S ing plan to the governor’s office . In it , while maintaining social distancing and need to feel confident . Our history they highlight the county’s impact on hygiene in accordance with the Centers has tourism in the state — $ 6 billion in direct for Disease Control and state and local always been to provide this continual tourism revenue annually . In 2018 the health professional recommendations . ” line [ of communication ] . ” county’s tourism - related businesses cre - Clark says business owners are anxious The Shore is resilient , as proven in ated more than 26,000 jobs , according to to have guided documents to open safely past recessions or the devastation of Hur - the proposal , and it outpaces all other and bring people back to work . “ Unfor - ricane Sandy , but this time feels different counties in revenue for food and beverage , tunately , some have made the decision for those who have weathered it all . “ It retail , recreation and second home rentals . not to open at all . They feel the regulatory has an overwhelming reach because there “ There is no part of New Jersey where environment is too overwhelming for are some businesses that haven’t yet tourism is as important as it is in Cape them , ” she says . “ After 10 weeks of this reopened and are still trying to figure out May County , ” says Clark , who was on the shutdown , a lot of businesses have not what that looks like , ” Pepenella says . “ Eco - task force for the recovery initiative . “ The been able to get the PPP loan or any other nomically , as far as representing both proposal is deliberate and thoughtful , program support being offered . The longer interests of the business and consumer , containing a combination of guidance this goes on , the harder it is for small , it’s challenging , and we want to make documents from various industry seg - independent businesses to hang on . ” sure everybody comes out of this ahead . ments in the major entities of tourism — The hit to tourism revenue , which We’re moving in the right direction but hotels , restaurants , camping , fishing , boat - amounts to some $ 22 billion for the four moving at different paces . ” ing , breweries Shore counties No matter what , summer will happen and distilleries — and the combined , is eventually and places like The Grand Hotel in Cape best ways to open these types of businesses going to have a greater impact on the May are waiting with open arms . “ We are optimistic that we will see some sense WASHINGTON STREET of normalcy this summer season here in MALL , DOWNTOWN CAPE MAY Cape May , ” says Danielle Muratore , mar - keting and special events coordinator . “ As a community we are taking all the proper precautions to welcome guests back to our town . At The Grand , we are open and ready to provide a relaxing and safe environment for visitors to enjoy . ” OPEN FOR BUSINESS There has perhaps never been a more crucial time to shop locally , says Day , of Stone Harbor . “ Big stores like Walmart and Home Depot didn’t feel any pain . Their numbers are up because they were the only game in town — they’ve benefited from this mess , ” she says . “ But it’s the mom - and - pop businesses that this coun - try and state rely on . The state wouldn’t function without us . Well , these families can’t function without their business . I most want people to know that their sup - port matters in a time like this . ” Whether offering takeout only , limiting state’s economy as a whole . indoor capacity or bringing items directly Lori Pepenella , CEO of the Southern to your car at the curb , businesses are Ocean County Chamber of Commerce , AS A COMMUNITY doing whatever it takes to keep the lights says the organization is helping its 600 on . Some are going above and beyond members access loans , unemployment WE ARE TAKING when it comes to safety for employees claims and CARES Act resources , as well “ and customers to ensure everyone’s com - as creating webinars to keep everyone ALL THE PROPER fort level with the service being provided , informed . often at a cost that will eat into their With a good deal of businesses offering PRECAUTIONS TO profits this season but will be worthwhile takeout or curbside pickup , the chamber in the end , say business owners . is directing visitors to an online directory . WELCOME GUESTS Melissa Brown , co - owner of Brown’s “ Recently we were able to launch a BACK TO OUR TOWN . " Restaurant in Ocean City , says seeing is tourism - oriented website . It allows people believing for a lot of people . “ We want to search by town , find their favorite place — Danielle Muratore , customers to see what we have in place to stay , shows a takeout tour , ” says The Grand Hotel and know that their homemade food is Pepenella . “ We feel very much a part of safe , ” she says . In the kitchen , employees keeping the business community together , wear gloves , which are changed after keeping visitors and residents and con - each sumers alert to some of the things they customer , and masks are worn . Known SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 17 issue 3 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 27