Jersey City Restaurant Closes After Fire
Meryendang Pinoy, a Filipino restaurant in Jersey City, has been forced into an indefinite closure following a fire on February 9th that caused extensive damage. Community members have begun to rally around the local eatery to provide support for its recovery and eventual reopening.
- The fire occurred on the evening of Monday, February 9, 2026, at the restaurant's location at 283 Newark Avenue in downtown Jersey City. To combat the blaze, firefighters had to break down walls, and the building's HVAC system was severely damaged. - Meryendang Pinoy is owned by the husband-and-wife team of Jhonacel and Josan Candelaria. The couple is expecting a baby this spring, adding to the personal challenges they face in the fire's aftermath. - Before opening their brick-and-mortar location in the summer of 2024, the Candelarias started Meryendang Pinoy out of their home in 2019 and grew their business through pop-ups and large tray orders. - The restaurant specializes in Filipino street food, with signature items including fish balls, Filipino-style hot dogs, and halo-halo. It was the first restaurant of its kind in the Historic Downtown area of Jersey City. - A GoFundMe campaign titled "Help a Small Restaurant Recover After a Fire" was organized by owner Jhonacel's sister to cover rent and basic expenses. As of February 11, 2026, the fundraiser had raised $20,227 from 412 donors toward a $25,000 goal. - Community support for the restaurant has been widespread, with other local businesses and Filipino community organizations like the Narra Collective promoting the fundraiser. Double Batch Bakery in Bayonne pledged a portion of its sales to support Meryendang Pinoy's recovery.
