South Jersey Feels the Strain as Restaurant-Heavy Regions Hit Hard

When New Jersey shuttered bars and restaurants in the state due to the coronavirus, it was a tough break for Lenny Donnelly, 64, who had worked as a bartender in Atlantic City for more than 30 years.

But things could have been worse. His employer, The Golden Nugget casino, agreed to pay him for two weeks at a reduced rate before he’s laid off.

“Not at our regular rate, but more like minimum wage, though it’s something,” he said. “Then I’ll have to sign up for unemployment.”

Areas like southern New Jersey include an especially high proportion of bartenders and ...