Fire Destroys Beloved Family-Owned Grits & Grace Restaurant in Bayville

Flames tore through Grits & Grace, a family-owned breakfast and brunch spot at 507 Atlantic City Blvd. in Bayville, late Monday night, leaving the building partially collapsed and the community rallying to help owners who had spent four years building the business while raising a young daughter.

The Bayville Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched at 10:06 p.m. on March 9 and arrived to find heavy fire and smoke pouring from the structure. "Firefighters were met with heavy fire and smoke conditions coming from the building," the department said. Chief 1700 established Bayville Command on arrival and directed a multi-agency response, with Assistant Chief 1710 serving as operations officer. Crews pushed into the building with handlines, searched for anyone inside, checked whether fire had spread beyond the main burn area, and ventilated the structure to release heat and smoke. Units operating at the scene included Engine 1731, Rescue 1713, Engine 1741, Ladder 1725, Utility 1724, and Utility 1707.

No one was inside at the time, and no injuries were reported. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office later ruled the fire accidental and determined it started in the kitchen. Route 9 was shut down temporarily while crews worked the scene. Pies Place, a nearby pizzeria, donated food and water to first responders during the operation.

The fire led to a partial structural collapse. Local outlets varied in how they described the damage, with some characterizing the restaurant as "gutted" or "destroyed" and others as "badly damaged," but the physical toll was significant: equipment, supplies, and the family's primary source of income were lost.

Grits & Grace opened in 2021 and had grown into what supporters describe as a community anchor. A GoFundMe launched by staff in the aftermath called it "more than just a restaurant" and captured the scope of what was lost: "In a matter of moments, the fire took away the business they worked so hard to build, along with their equipment, supplies, and livelihood. While raising their young daughter, this family poured everything they had into their restaurant, staff, family, friends, and the community they serve." By Tuesday morning, the campaign had raised more than $11,000 of its $13,000 goal.

Whether the owners can rebuild and reopen remains unanswered. No timeline has been announced, and no official damage estimate has been released.