Submitted by friends of Nichole.

This past weekend, Tenth House owner and chef Nicole Fuenzalida suffered a serious fall at the restaurant, slipping on an icy back deck after service and breaking her back in two places. Now in a back brace for at least six weeks, she faces a long road to recovery — one that leaves Tenth House in a difficult position.

Running a small, independent restaurant on the island is always a delicate balance, especially in the slow winter months when Tenth House operates with a skeleton crew just to stay afloat. A setback like this isn’t just difficult — it can be devastating. But if there’s one thing this island does best, it’s rallying around its own.

The plan to stay open

Despite this challenge, Tenth House is staying open with an adjusted schedule and limited menu. Service will now be Thursday through Saturday, with the kitchen in the capable hands of Sous Chef Nikki, who has been holding things down under Nicole’s guidance for months. Stand-in staff will be stepping in to help, and while they may be new to the ropes, they’re here because they believe in this place. We ask for your patience, kindness and grace as we navigate this transition together.

Hours and availability may shift based on circumstances, so please stay tuned for updates.

How to help

The best way to support Chef Nicole and Tenth House during this time is by donating to the official GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/062f273e. Funds will go toward keeping the restaurant running and ensuring Nicole has the space to heal without the immense financial strain of running a business while unable to work.

Other ways to help:

Dine with us! Show up and enjoy a meal — your support keeps us going.

Purchase a gift card by emailing eat@tenthhousesji.com — a great way to help now and enjoy later.

Spread the word — share the GoFundMe and tell friends about what’s happening.