When crisis struck our region five years ago, the Greater Atlantic City Chamber recognized an urgent need to support our beloved local food and beverage industry. As COVID-19 restrictions threatened the very existence of our restaurant community, we made a commitment to connect, inform, and unite the people who make our culinary landscape so vibrant. What emerged from that challenging moment—Atlantic County Eats—has become far more than just a Facebook group. It stands as powerful evidence that through intentional community building and information sharing, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges facing our local economy.
March 2020 marked the beginning of what would become the most challenging period we ever faced. The journey back to normal operations would take nearly 14 months, with restaurants and bars navigating a complex maze of restrictions throughout this period.
The full prohibition of on-site dining forced an immediate pivot to delivery and takeout models. When outdoor dining finally resumed, businesses invested heavily in tents, heaters, and weatherproofing. The gradual return to indoor service brought capacity limitations, masking requirements, plexiglass barriers, six-foot distancing mandates, and significant staffing challenges. Even as restrictions on restaurants began lifting in May 2021, many related businesses—catered events, conferences, entertainment venues, and trade shows—continued to face severe limitations.
Throughout this chaos, our local restaurant owners demonstrated remarkable adaptability. They reinvented their business models overnight, interpreted complex and evolving CDC guidelines, navigated relief application processes, managed supply chain disruptions, and handled unprecedented staffing challenges—all while striving to keep their families and customers safe during a global health crisis.
What began as an emergency response by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber—creating a Facebook group to connect restaurants with customers—revealed something profound about our region. When official channels fell short, community stepped up.
Within days, our group swelled to thousands of members. The numbers tell a remarkable story:
- Today, five years later, our membership has grown to 44,200 active participants
- The group has been viewed by more than 4.5 million people over the past year alone
- Members have contributed 78,762 comments and 278,025 reactions over the past year
- Popular posts frequently exceed 10,000 views, with some reaching over 20,000
- The platform has featured hundreds of local restaurants and food-related businesses
These aren’t just impressive statistics—they represent real economic impact.
Today, Atlantic County Eats has evolved into something that transcends its original purpose. It stands as a shining example of what’s possible when the Chamber and community members unite around a common goal, combining institutional support with grassroots enthusiasm to create sustainable economic impact that benefits our entire region.
The success of Atlantic County Eats offers a powerful lesson for communities: economic resilience and sustainability flourish when we nurture meaningful connections between local businesses and the customers who value them. Through increased awareness and direct consumer action, the Greater Atlantic City Chamber created opportunity for additional revenue for local restaurants during the challenging pandemic years, demonstrating how community support translates to real economic impact.
What makes our story remarkable isn’t just that local businesses survived—it’s that many have emerged stronger, with deeper community ties and more loyal customer bases than before the pandemic.
Atlantic County Eats has evolved far beyond its original purpose as an emergency response. Throughout these five years, we’ve been deeply moved by the countless restaurant owners, staff members, and their customers, who have reached out personally to thank the Chamber for creating this platform.
As we acknowledge this five-year milestone, we invite you to remain part of this vibrant celebration of our region’s culinary heritage and entrepreneurial spirit. Share the group with your friends. Support new restaurants. Provide feedback to your favorite establishments. Every share, post, comment, and meal shared represents another thread in the fabric of our community.
This anniversary marks not just what we’ve accomplished together, but the foundation we’ve built for the future—a community that understands the power of connection and chooses to support one another, creating a stronger Atlantic County for all. Thank you to every member, restaurant owner, chef, server, and food enthusiast who has made Atlantic County Eats what it is today—your passion and participation have made all the difference.
Want to meet the Chamber team and check out a recently rebranded and renovated restaurant at the same time? Join us for a casual Breakfast and Learn event on April 17 at 279 Social Kitchen & Craft Bar. It’s completely free, and you’ll have the chance to connect with Chamber President Michael Chait, network with fellow business professionals, and discover how the Chamber can support your business journey. Click here to reserve your spot.
