Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Turtle Back Zoo Café Plans to Serve Alcoholic Beverages


West Orange, New Jersey: A new café is coming to the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, and county officials are planning to allow beer and wine to be on the menu.

According to a legal notice, the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs is planning to enter into an agreement with Aramark to allow alcoholic beverages to be served at the new Zoo Café. Essex County ordinance 0-2013-00014 prohibits the serving of such beverages in county parks during times other than authorized public events, and alcohol beverages are currently prohibited at the zoo. 

Under the new proposal, the sale and serving of alcohol would be permitted beginning on April 1st.

Construction on the new café began in September, 2015, and according to a press release from Essex County officials, the building will consist of first and second floor dining areas. The Turtle Back Zoo is one of Essex County's most visited tourist attractions.

A public hearing regarding the proposal will be held at East Orange City Hall on Wednesday, March 9th at 7:00pm.

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