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As New Jerseyans gear up for an unknown period without barroom chatter or dinners in restaurant dining rooms, alcohol has begun flying off of store shelves — although liquor stores have not been stripped as bare as, say, the toilet paper aisle or liquid soap section at your local supermarket.

The state has ordered restaurants to go to only takeout and delivery, and bars that do not serve food must close entirely, along with a slew of other businesses such as cinemas and gyms. Retail businesses can remain open, but the state has asked they not open for the day before 5 a.m. nor stay open past 8 p.m. and that they limit their numbers of occupants.

As a result, retail liquor has seen a corresponding spike in sales.

At Brick Liquors in Brick, manager Joe Spinelli said customers have been stocking up as a precaution against a possible closure.

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Asked if Monday had seen a rush of customers, he said, “That would be an understatement.”

The store was “pretty much busy all day. We’re up 150% in sales over this day last year. It’s been our best March ever,” Spinelli said.

Bulk items and cases of wine have been particularly popular with Spinelli's customers.

And the reason for the rush? “Everyone thinks we’re going to close so everyone is loading up,” Spinelli said.

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Many larger liquor store chains, like Spirits Unlimited, Joe Canal's Discount Liquor Outlet and Buy Rite, as well as many local liquor shops, offer delivery service at many of their locations for customers who prefer not to leave the house.

While the state has issued its overarching recommendation, some towns have added their own caveats or vowed to enforce the restrictions with disorderly persons summonses.

Red Bank issued — but later rescinded — a proclamation barring all liquor sales within the borough. That ban would have taken effect a minute before midnight Monday night. And Asbury Park put restrictions on nightlife in the city Sunday, the day before the state's announcement.

At Lush Wines - Beer & Liquor in Asbury Park, business has been up but "not crazy," according to a shop worker who preferred not to be named. He said there hadn't been more foot traffic, but that the customers who were shopping were buying more than usual.

One town over, in Ocean Township, locals have hit up Wanamassa Liquors to stock up following the announcement of bar closures in the area.

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"They're stocking up here and staying home," said cashier Linda Dzenis. "Everyone is coming once and stocking up. Between Friday night and Sunday it was droves of people coming in and stocking up.

Wanamassa got an order in over the weekend, and had recently been able to restock.

And while sales are up, at least for now, shopping has not necessarily been hectic, according to D.J. D'Onofrio, a member of the Spirits Unlimited advertising co-op.

"There's been no panic, there's no unruliness. Everybody's been polite and kind," he said.

Alex N. Gecan: 732-547-1365; agecan@gannettnj.com; @GeeksterTweets