South Jersey restaurant reopens 2 years after Sandy

FORTESCUE, N.J. (WPVI) -- A landmark South Jersey restaurant reopens for a special meal Wednesday night, two years after Superstorm Sandy almost destroyed it.

The Charlesworth in Fortescue was nearly torn down, after owner Jim Fonash and his wife couldn't get a government loan to rebuild.

However Senator Cory Booker's office lobbied hard to get one.

And dozens of community members stepped in to do what there wasn't money for.

"People have come and helped us rebuild, clean, scrub, paint, a little bit of carpentry here and there. It's shocking. We couldn't have gotten here without volunteer help," said Fonash.

Wednesday's meal for 100 customers sold out in hours and it's one night only.

The restaurant and hotel will be open more fully in Spring.