An Ocean County diner has been cited for reopening to customers in violation of the governor’s executive orders.

The Lakeside Diner is located in the Forked River section of Lacey Township. The diner reopened last Thursday and quickly received a $1,000 fine from the police department for violating the order. Owner Brian Brindisi said that it was a risk he was willing to take.

“I’m ready to go under. I need to go to work. I need to feed my family,” he says. “It has to do with my constitutional rights. I feel that me being a veteran, if I didn’t do this, it would be a slap in the face to all the men and women who fought overseas and lost their lives.”

Regular customers have been coming by the diner and say that they will continue to support the business.

 

“Everything’s safe. I’m not living in fear. I’m not going by what the governor is saying,” says customers Scott Hermsen. “As long as you keep yourself clean, your hands clean, social distancing, it’s going to be OK.”

Brindisi says that he will continue to do what he must to provide for his family.

“I understand there’s a virus out there and I’m not saying there’s nothing to be worried about, but I think if we take precautions and we do the right thing, I do believe we can go back to work,” he says.

Brindisi says that he has obtained legal representation. The attorney says that they will fight any citations Brindisi receives on the basis of constitutional and First Amendment law.