Middletown Launches 'Takeout Thursdays' To Help Local Businesses

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Middletown is doing something unique to help struggling small businesses and restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic: On Wednesday, Mayor Tony Perry and the Township Committee announced the town’s new initiative, “Takeout Thursdays."

Beginning Thursday, the Township Committee is encouraging residents to support local businesses and their employees by ordering takeout food from restaurants or by purchasing gift cards that can be used at a later date, such as meals, haircuts, car washes and more.

Local businesses are taking steps to encourage residents to keep spending money.

For example, Drifthouse by David Burke in Sea Bright will now deliver to anyone within a 10-mile radius, and beer and wine packages are also available. Plus, for orders $100 and more Drifthouse will give patrons a $25 gift card to be used at a different time.

“During this uncertain period, we are encouraging our community to rally behind our small business owners and their staff to help curb the detrimental effects that this health crisis has created,” said Mayor Perry. “Our community will bounce back from these turbulent times stronger than ever as long as we stand with them and support them in any way possible.”

Any business that remains open under Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 104, please contact the Township’s Public Information Office at publicinfo@middletownnj.org with your business number and website for promotional purposes on the Made in Middletown website (www.middletownnj.org/madeinmiddletown).

“Businesses that are run and employed by our friends, neighbors and members of our communities are seeking alternative ways to operate that are deemed safe to the public as well as their employees,” said Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone. “As fellow citizens, we need to answer their call for help and support them during these trying times.”

Starting Thursday, March 19, the town encourages residents to tag the businesses they are supporting on social media using the hashtags #TakeoutThursday #MiddletownNJ on Thursdays.