A popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey has caused quite the stir after announcing a plan to ban kids from dining. The restaurant shared its plan on social media, which has since caused a lot of discussion with some people who are furious with the restaurant and a lot of praise from others.
Nettie’s House of Spaghetti in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, announced its decision on social media.
On February 9, 2023, Nettie’s House of Spaghetti explained that come next month it “will no longer allow children under 10 to dine in the restaurant.”
Continuing, the statement read, “we love kids. We really, truly, do. But lately, it’s been extremely challenging to accommodate children at Nettie’s.”
The restaurant detailed a few reasons for why accommodation for kids has been challenging.
“Between noise levels, lack of space for high chairs, cleaning up crazy messes, and the liability of kids running around the restaurant, we have decided that it’s time to take control of the situation,” the restaurant’s statement continued in the Facebook post.
“This wasn’t a decision that was made lightly, but some recent events have pushed us to implement this new policy.”
The statement didn’t go into further detail on what those 'recent events' were that prompted the change.
The new policy will go in effect next month, the statement shared.
“As of March 8, the day we return from our winter break, we will no longer allow children under 10 to dine in the restaurant," it explained.
“We know that this is going to make some of you very upset, especially those of you with very well-behaved kids, but we believe this is the right decision for our business moving forward,” the statement concluded. “Thank you for understanding.”
As expected, the response to the ban has been mixed.
Following the restaurant’s statement, the reaction was mixed, with some fully agreeing with it and others calling the policy damaging.
“Fantastic idea … having worked in the industry since I was 14, i’ve never seen anything like I have in the recent past,” one commenter shared. “Kids are out of control and most parents are oblivious. The disregard for manners and common decency is unreal. I worked in FH and was disgusted by the behavior. Good for you for taking a stand.”
“Having worked & still do in high end restaurants — kids have no place. No one wants to hear them screaming / running and no one wants to hear the blaring i-pad at your table,” another commenter shared. “You’re going somewhere to enjoy yourself and spend a good dime. Why bring them? Lol I’ll definitely be dining.”
Others were not as supportive of the restaurant’s decision.
“That is really sad to hear,” one comment read. “I was looking forward to trying out your place but with a well behaved 9 year old I’m not welcome .. sad ..”
“This attitude towards children seems to be a cultural trend. Children are allowed to exist in spaces. They are new people,” wrote someone else. “If we, as a community, understood that and had a helpful attitude toward young parents instead of a hateful one things would be so much better.”
The restaurant hasn’t outlined yet how it plans to enforce the new policy.
