Bruno Brito remembered how slow business was at Ironbound Pet Shop in March and April. For a few months, the animal grooming and supplies store where he works opened for only three hours each day.
Early in the pandemic, the coronavirus forced many small businesses in Newark’s Ironbound section to reduce hours or close completely. Foot traffic on Ferry Street, the district’s main drag, came to a grinding halt in late March.
Like most places in New Jersey, uncertainty lurked on the streets of what is normally one of the most pulsating neighborhoods in Brick City as folks who live and work here sought shelter from a virus that has infected nearly 190,000 people in the Garden State (and more than 5.5 million people nationwide).
Saturday, it appeared, the Ironbound is back. And perhaps, the spirit and character of the place never truly went away.
“This is definitely going to be one of those summers you’ll remember (forever),” Brito told NJ Advance Media.
At the Ironbound Pet Shop on Ferry Street, business seemed to be returning to pre-COVID-19 levels, Brito said. There was a steady flow of customers coming for all of their pet needs. Plastic barriers separated Brito from them at the front counter, and only a few people were allowed in the small shop at a time, which has made things easier to manage.
“When we were able to open back full-time, business picked right back up,” he said. “Even busier than what we were before, because everybody that kind of stayed home for that time all suddenly needed all the stuff (we sell).”
A lively day in Newark's Ironbound in the summer of the coronavirus.
Out on the streets, families strolled past corner markets, delis, clothing stores and restaurants. Their doors were open wide. Ice cream trucks and Italian ice carts were parked on nearly every corner.
Staff at Got Shoes, a local footwear retailer, was happy to have customers back after offering curbside pickup for a few months.
“Everyone is trying to stay positive,” said Adioverto Lazero, a manager at the store. “Instead of going backward, just keep going forward.”
One of the many unique things about this summer in the Ironbound is the amount of outdoor seating on the sidewalks, in the streets and in some cases, parking lots. Many restaurants have been forced to get creative since indoor dining still has not been approved in the Garden State.
The outdoor setups are giving them much-needed exposure.
“I drive by a lot of places that I didn’t even know existed,” said Marco Oliveria, general manager of Adega Grill.
Oliveria said times are still hard for business — many bars and restaurants are seating at only half-capacity. But he believes some operations will benefit from the ingenuity sparked by the pandemic.
“I think in the long run, it’s going to benefit a lot of (places) during the summertime that didn’t (usually) have tables outside,” Oliveria said.
The Ironbound is heralded as one of New Jersey’s most diverse working-class communities, with a large percentage of its population having Portuguese, Brazilian and Hispanic roots.
Savory aromas linger in the air from the myriad Brazilian and Portuguese steakhouses in the area, serving as a reminder of this neighborhood’s rich heritage. Lively music bumped on speakers outside many establishments.
The pandemic is not over. But vibrant life is returning to Newark's Ironbound in the summer of the coronavirus.
In the days of the coronavirus, the Ironbound’s culture is still on full display.
“You get a little feel for the culture, just seeing people outside eating and seeing what they’re eating, seeing all the businesses open,” Brito said. “It feels more lively, more active.”
A lively day in Newark's Ironbound in the summer of the coronavirus.
Tennyson Donyèa may be reached at tcoleman@njadvancemedia.com.
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A glimpse at Newark’s Ironbound in the summer of the coronavirus - NJ.com
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