Belmar Eatery That Helped Workers Deals With Coronavirus: Report

BELMAR – The restaurant that went the extra mile to help employees amid the coronavirus outbreak is now dealing with the personal effects of the crisis.

Bryan Morin, co-owner of Federico's Pizzeria & Restaurant in Belmar, told The Asbury Park Press that he was diagnosed with the coronavirus but he's on the mend. The restaurant hopes to reopen very soon.

The restaurant came to the aid of its workers last month with a $50,000 credit line but had to temporarily close.

"We will be temporarily closing our doors in order to keep our employees, families and customers safe," Federico's Pizza and Restaurant on Main Street said on Facebook.

"Thank you for all of your support. We look forward to serving you again in the near future. Stay safe and be well.

Mike Morin and his brother, Bryan, co-owners of Federico's, took out a credit line of $50,000 to make sure their employees will get paid during the coronavirus crisis.

They were expected to get their wages for several months. Mike said he and his brother "weren't doing this for publicity."

"We had to protect our employees," he said. "We said, 'Let's go help our employees.' "

The brothers have been worried about the fate of their business, but they're more worried about their employees.

The brothers said they were getting takeout customers. But what they've also gotten is a lot of people calling them up, and writing them, all to ask how they can help them.

"It's crazy," Mike said. "We've been getting calls from all over the country from people just wanting to donate."