Moorestown Leaders Say It's 'Right Time' To Reopen

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Local leaders believe now is the right time to reopen the state, and are hopeful that Moorestown businesses will get back on their feet sooner than later.

“It’s a tough decision, but we’ve seen that the virus is going to be around for a long time,” Moorestown Business Association President Steve Pazienza said. “We have to take the slow movement and give the opportunity for our businesses to reopen.”

“I think it makes a lot of sense, and I’m hopeful it will help some of our Moorestown businesses bounce back from this crisis,” Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie said.

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On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that non-essential retail stores will reopen for online and phone ordering and curbside pickup. Non-essential construction will also be allowed to re-start. This will all become effective 6 a.m. Monday morning. Read more here: Gov. Phil Murphy To Reopen NJ Businesses Amid Coronavirus

Many non-essential businesses were forced to close early in the coronavirus pandemic, when Murphy issued a stay-at-home order. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus

Restaurants were permitted to remain open for curbside take-out and delivery, but some were forced to close anyway, at least temporarily. Read more here: Moorestown Harvest Owner Donates Food, Gift Card Sales To Workers

The partial reopening is a step toward helping those businesses that had to close their doors, but the amount of traffic they will see is an unknown.

“Some people have the mindset that nothing will hurt them, while others will take a wait-and-see approach,” Pazienza said. “Then there are others who will wait for quite a while.”

If Mother’s Day is any indication, people are eager to get back to as close to normal as possible.

“I drove down Main Street and I saw significant lines for take-out at our restaurants,” Pazienza said. “There’s a tremendous demand for services.”

He believes some will go right back out, but doesn’t expect demand to be anywhere near normal volume.

See related: Uncertainty For Moorestown Businesses Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

The Moorestown Business Association is doing what it can to get the word out about local businesses, and will host a seminar that helps the businesses understand everything they need to know to reopen, including the best way to bring employees back and keep customers safe.

See related: Moorestown Mall Owner For Economic Drop Due To Coronavirus

Moorestown Patch has set up a directory business owners can use to let people know they are open. Details on the directory and the form to enter your business can be found here.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know