Camping participation grew 28% in 2020 as 7.9 million first-timers nationwide slept in the woods, according to the Outdoor Industry Association report The New Outdoor Participant: COVID and Beyond, released March 31. Americans flocked to fresh air activities to get exercise and stay healthy (62%) but also to simply get out of the house (62%), the report found.

A handful of New Jersey breweries at least partially power their brews by solar energy, including River Horse Brewing Co. in Ewing, Flying Fish Brewing Co. in Somerdale, and Anheuser Busch in Newark.

Some of the world’s greatest performers have taken the stage at Newark Symphony Hall – the Metropolitan Opera, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis and the Rolling Stones to name just a few. But the century-old venue in the heart of downtown Newark has seen better days, and Taneshia Nash Laird is in charge of returning it to glory.

Dan Fachner has served as president since May 2020. He takes over for Gerald “Gerry” B. Shreiber, who will remain chairman of the board for the brand best known for its Superpretzel, Icee and Slush Puppie frozen beverages, and Luigi's Real Italian Ice products.

As of May 13, $2.7 billion has been distributed to 21,000 eateries since the fund opened on May 3.

Beating all other cities in the region, the Brick City's restaurants boast a 4.18 star overall Trip Advisor rating; New York City, meanwhile, ranks 31st with more than quadruple the restaurants.

Quashima Taylor, who started her career at the fast-food franchise at 283 Market St. 26 years ago, has nabbed the top spot on the list for two years running.

The previous head of $7 billion global coffee and tea company JDE Peet’s NV, Kenneth “Casey” Keller will succeed interim leader David Wenner at the Parsippany-based company.

The casual foodservice concept from the same parent company as Hooters plans to bring 50 locations to key markets across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, with four spots in the Garden State by 2023.

A definitive merger agreement between the companies was announced in March for approximately $357 million, including $125 million of proceeds from the PIPE Financing. The proceeds will be used to accelerate the Newark-based organization's growth strategy, including expanding retail distribution and market penetration and constructing additional farms.

MetLife Stadium may be able to seat a full house after the season starts on Sept. 9 if the federal Centers for Disease Control shrinks its social distancing recommendations and New Jersey follows suit, as the governor has said it would.

The open-air food market -- billed as the biggest in America -- will plant its roots at the city's newly transformed Harborside campus.