Chick-fil-A, Yay Or Nay? Chain Coming To Garden State Parkway

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A new Chick-fil-A restaurant may be on the menu for two rest stops on the Garden State Parkway. But whether that’s a good or bad thing for North Jersey is up for debate.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which manages the parkway, recently announced that the McDonald's restaurants at the Vauxhall and Brookdale South service areas have closed. The plan is to replace them in 2023 with several other restaurants, including Chick-fil-A, Burger King and Starbucks. Read More: 2 McDonald's Close On Parkway; Here's What Will Replace Them

But in Bloomfield, where the Brookdale South rest stop is located, the news that a Chick-fil-A is on the way got a big thumbs down from two local elected officials, including Bloomfield Councilman Rich Rockwell.

Rockwell, who is openly gay, accused the restaurant chain of supporting policies that are discriminatory to the LGBTQ community.

Activists across the nation have been calling for boycotts of the company for years, blasting its CEO’s stances on same-sex marriage and accusing it of funneling donations to groups hostile to LGBTQ rights.

“Chick-fil-A imposes its religion on employees, customers and operators and as a publicly funded entity, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority should not allow this type of business on the Parkway,” Rockwell said. “This restaurant chain would be an affront to all of the citizens of Bloomfield that make up the tremendous diversity that makes our town such a great place to live.”

Rockwell got support from Mayor Michael Venezia, who also blasted the proposal. Read More: Bloomfield Councilman Says Chick-fil-A Not Wanted On Parkway

Since then, an online petition against bringing a Chick-fil-A to the two rest stops has gotten more than 400 signatures as of Wednesday.

According to the petition:

“Chick-fil-A’s parent company has a long history of supporting political candidates and individuals as well as organizations that actively oppose and work to undermine the civil rights and equality of all of New Jersey citizens. Chick-fil-A imposes its religion on employees, customers and operators and as a publicly funded entity, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority should not allow this type of business to operate on the Parkway … In the event of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board of Commissioners failing to satisfactorily address this issue, we call upon Gov. Phil Murphy, who has statutory authority to do so, to overturn the board decision allowing the placement of these restaurants.”

But some local residents have supported bringing Chick-fil-A to the area. Comments on our original article included:

• “I live in Bloomfield and I definitely want a Chick-fil-A here.”
• “A Sunday off for their employees is not imposing religious beliefs on anyone. Bloomfield should welcome all, and not relay on what are solitary and a ‘bridge too far’ accusatory comments.”
• “Chick-Fil-A has every right to run their restaurants as they see fit, according to their religious beliefs.”

Others disagreed with Rockwell on a Jan. 10 social media post he wrote.

“This is a tempest in a teapot,” one person commented. “Seriously, this is what the mayor and council are worked up about? Nothing going on in town to protest or - hey - do something about? (Affordable housing anyone?) If people don't like their politics/policies then don't patronize them. Do you people research the policies and practices of every fast food/restaurant/business in town? Get a grip.”

What do YOU think? Do you want to see a Chick-fil-A at the Vauxhall and Brookdale South service areas? Take our reader poll below.

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