A Welcome Comeback: Island Beach Distillery Is Back In Business

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - There's good news for all those who have been missing the Island Beach Distillery since it closed two days before Christmas after an explosion at the business.

The business will reopen with limited hours today and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for bottle sales only, co-owner Peter Martorelli wrote on the Lacey Chatter Facebook page.

"Work is still not completed in the back, so we will not be doing any tours, tastings, or mixed drinks (by law)," Martorelli wrote. "But, definitely stop down and say hello while picking up your favorite bottle of rum."

Martorelli and his wife Tina opened the popular business at 713 Old Shore Road back in the summer. But just two days before Christmas, there was an explosion in the distillery. Peter had multiple burns on his lower body and was quickly taken to St. Barnabas Burn Center in Livingston. He was there for several weeks before he was able to come home.

Photo: Courtesy of Peter Martorelli