Montclair Restaurant Wants Vaccine Proof To Eat Inside: Reports

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Want to grab a bite to eat inside Ruthie’s Bar-B-Que and Pizza in Montclair? Don’t forget to bring proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.

The restaurant may be the first in Montclair to roll out such a policy. Its owner told Montclair Local that so far, there has been “no resistance” from customers.

In addition to the vaccine requirement for indoor dining, customers must wear face masks when there are more than five people inside the restaurant. The eatery also has an outdoor patio area, where masks aren’t required, Montclair Local reported.

“It felt out of control,” said Ruth Perretti, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Eric Kaplan.

“It's a small space,” Perretti told NorthJersey.com. “I wanted to be proactive. I decided to get ready now for the new school year when lots more kids will be coming in.”

The Chestnut Street restaurant is known for hosting live music and prides itself on making people “feel at home.”

Earlier this month, another New Jersey restaurant, It's Greek to Me in Ridgewood, ignited a firestorm of controversy when it rolled out a similar vaccination policy.

• See related article: Ridgewood Restaurant Requires Vaccination Proof For Indoor Dining

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