Opening a restaurant at the Jersey Shore takes family, gallons of paint, and local scallops

CAPE MAY, N.J. — The delivery truck idled across the street and Carl Messick knew, or at least hoped, that butter dishes, salt, espresso cups, or perhaps some spoons, were all on their way.

Messick, 40, is a longtime chef in this Jersey Shore resort town known for its grand front porches and fine dining. This year he took a big leap, opening Grana, his very own, 68-seat, BYO restaurant. That’s why, when the delivery truck appeared to head off in the wrong direction, Messick burst from the curb and started running after it.

“Yes, I was sprinting and I thought ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this,’ ” he said. “When I caught up to him, I said ‘I think you have some deliveries for me.’ ”