Township Committee Grants Captain's Inn Request For Later Outside Hours

Township officials recently approved an ordinance waiver that will allow the Captain's Inn in Forked River to offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights until midnight in the summer.

The inn's owners requested to move from 10 p.m. until midnight because they don't want to lose customers who come to hear the outside music, Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh said at a recent Township Committee meeting.

"The alternative is people getting in their cars and going someplace else," Township Committeman Gary Quinn said.

The restaurant's owners helped residents in Superstorm Sandy's aftermath, he said.

"They have been a good neighbor," Quinn said. "They've provided a lot of help and support to many people."

The restaurant also employs local college and high school students during the summer, Mayor David Most said.

"I think we should relax it," Most said of the ordinance waiver.

The Captain's Inn at the end of East Lacey Road is a longtime Lacey landmark. The request to extend the hours for live outside music will be contingent on not receiving any residential complaints, township officials said.