The Paper Mill Playhouse may not be able to put on shows right now due to the pandemic, but the theater is able to host guests at its Carriage House restaurant.

Restaurants all throughout New Jersey were able to reopen for outdoor dining on Monday as part of the Phase 2 reopening plan.

“It will be thrilling to have people in the courtyard again,” says Paper Mill producing artistic director Mark Hoebee.

Mark Hoebee says that the restaurant will begin outdoor service on Wednesday, with tables set alongside the theater.

“There’ll be conversations and music and laughter and that’s been missing from here for three months,” Hoebee says.

The theater has lost a lot of money and had to reduce staff because of the pandemic. Hoebee says that reopening the restaurant will be a way to start making up some of that revenue.

“And we do hope it generates income for the restaurant and Paper Mill and just to remind people that we’re still here,” he says.

It is not clear when live theater will be allowed to happen in New Jersey. Paper Mill has announced a full schedule of musicals in the next year and hopes to reopen soon.

More information about the Carriage House restaurant can be found on the Paper Mill Playhouse's website.