By Liz Calvario - TODAY via
NBC News
A New Jersey restaurant soon plans to ban children under 10 from entering, a move that is drawing both support and criticism on social media.
Nettie's House of Spaghetti, located in the town of Tinton Falls, announced on February 9 on its social networks that it "will no longer allow children under the age of 10 to dine in the restaurant" starting next month.
Its managers explained that they made the decision because "it has been extremely difficult to accommodate the children" on the premises.
“We love children.
Really, really”, began Nettie's message posted on social media.
"Between the noise levels, the lack of space for high chairs, the crazy mess cleanup, and the liability of kids running around the restaurant, we've decided it's time to take control of the situation," the post noted.
Nettie's noted that the decision was taken lightly, "but some recent events have pushed us to apply this new policy."
The measure will enter into force on March 8.
[The teacher told her that painting her nails was “for girls.” His father responded by taking him to the manicure]
"We know this is going to be very upsetting to some of you, especially those of you with very well-behaved children, but we believe it is the right move for our business going forward," the statement concluded.
"Thanks for your understanding".
The comments section of Nettie's Instagram and Facebook posts was 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 opportunity to go out (with adults and not kids and not to Applebees or a kid-friendly restaurant) and there are kids not only misbehaving but parents completely oblivious to it they don't even try to discipline their kids," commented Instagram user ssevinsky.
“I applaud this decision and can't wait to go there for dinner!”
Culinary creativity will prevail during Super Bowl LVII despite inflation
Feb 12, 202301:40
For his part, Linen_guy wrote: “I can't help but feel like this is going to go wrong.
(No, I do not have children under the age of 10).
The best restaurants in New York can accommodate children but Netties can't?
It seems that the problem is their clients, not the children”.
User thismomslife brought up the question of how some parents would now have to pay for a babysitter to come to the facility.
“Do you realize that all the parents who had dinner with you now have to spend extra money for a babysitter?” she wrote.
“You own a restaurant, you should expect children to dine there.
Will you check birth certificates at the door?
My 8-year-old is the size of an 11,” she posed.
[6-year-old boy who shot teacher at Virginia school carried his mother's gun in his backpack]
On Facebook, Laura Jones commented: "So sad to hear this...I really wanted to try your place but with a well behaved 9 year old I'm not welcome...sad."
For her part, 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 are unaware,” she said.
Nettie's responded to Sorrentino-Wilson thanking her for her support.
“It has become a liability for us – children running in circles around the restaurant when we try to carry trays of food and drinks has made doing our job extremely difficult,” the restaurant argued.
The unexpected helper of the firefighters in Chile: a 13-year-old boy
Feb 10, 202302:07
This is not a totally unheard of policy.
In 2021, the Red Rooster Burgers & Brew restaurant in Garden Valley, California, banned customers under the age of 18 from dining without an adult, citing misbehavior by teens who had caused harm.
In 2018, Old Fisherman's Grotto, in Monterey, also in California, also drew attention for its policy of not allowing “crying children” or children making “loud noises”.
Since 2009, it has also not allowed strollers to guarantee "the safety of our staff and guests".