A New Jersey restaurant that plans to ban children under the age of 10 is garnering both support and criticism on social media.
Nettie’s House of Spaghetti in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, announced in a February 9 post on his social media platforms that they will «no longer allow children under the age of 10 to dine in the restaurant» starting next month.
Their decision, they said, was made because «it has been extremely difficult to accommodate the children» at the venue.
“We love children. We really, really do,» Nettie’s post began, adding that «Between the noise levels, lack of space for high chairs, crazy mess cleanup, and the liability of kids running around the restaurant, we’ve decided that It’s time to take control of the situation.»
Nettie’s stated that the decision was not taken lightly, «but some recent events have pushed us to implement this new policy.»
The new policy will begin on March 8.
“We know this is going to be very upsetting to some of you, especially those with very well-behaved children, but we believe this is the right decision to move our business forward,” the statement concluded. «Thank you for understanding.»
The comments section on Nettie’s Instagram and Facebook posts were filled with mixed reactions from customers and followers.
“I love this decision. Nothing frustrates me more as a working single mom than when I get the rare chance to go out (with adults and not kids and not to an Applebees or a kids’ restaurant) and there are kids not only acting out, but the parents not they notice and not even trying to discipline their children,” Instagram user ssevinsky commented. “I applaud this decision and can’t wait to go there for dinner!”
Meanwhile, Linen_guy wrote: “I can’t help but feel like this is going to fail spectacularly. (No, I do not have a child under the age of 10). The best restaurants in New York City can accommodate kids, but Netties can’t? It seems that the problem is your customers, not the children.
User thismomslife raised the question of how some parents would now have to pay for a babysitter to come to the facility.
“You realize that all the parents who had dinner with you now have to spend extra money on a babysitter,” the user wrote. “You own a restaurant, you should expect children to dine there. Will you be checking the birth certificates at the gate? My 8-year-old is the size of an 11-year-old.»
On Facebook Laura Jones commented: «Really sad to hear that…I really wanted to try your house but with a well behaved 9 year old I’m not welcome…sad…»
Meanwhile, Jill Sorrentino-Wilson called it a «fantastic idea» and wrote that as someone who worked in the restaurant industry, she could empathize. «Kids are out of control and most parents don’t realize it,» she said.
Nettie’s responded to Sorrentino-Wilson by thanking them for their support, writing that «it has become a liability for us – children running in circles through the restaurant when we are trying to carry trays of food and drinks has made it extremely difficult to do our jobs.» «.
Nettie’s did not respond to TODAY.com’s request for comment.
This is not a completely unknown policy. In 2021, California restaurant Red Rooster Burgers & Brew Prohibited sponsors under 18 years of age to dine without an adult citing misbehavior by teens that had caused damage.
In 2018, Old Fisherman’s Grotto, in Monterey, California, also drew attention for its privacy policy. do not allow “crying children” or children who make “loud noises”. It has also had a «no strollers» policy since 2009, which according to the restaurant it was for the «safety of our staff and guests.»
