OCEAN CITY, NJ (CBS) — Ocean City, NJ is home to many businesses, and in the heart of downtown – right between the beach and the bay – the Asbury Avenue shopping district is ready to usher in a new summer season.
If you need a break while walking the planks or the sandy beaches on the coastthere is no shortage of stops along Asbury’s six blocks.
According to Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, many of the more than 110 stores on the Avenue are small, family-owned businesses, which she calls the “heartbeat” of Ocean City.
Ocean City regulars will recognize many of the storefronts along Asbury Avenue, but several new spots are coming this season, including a boba tea cafe, the new Shriver location and new shops between 6th and 7th streets.
Meanwhile, Boyar’s Food Market at 1340 Asbury Avenue is marking 100 years of cold subs and sandwiches, as well as hot dishes like lasagna and ziti.
“I always told our kids that we live in one of the best places in the world,” said Scott Ping, Boyar’s owner. “And every year for two months we open the streets and let everyone come and visit.”
And for 30 years, Johnny B Goode Ice Cream has been collecting piles of ice cream to help beachgoers cool down after a long day in the sun. “I love my job,” says owner Jane Davis. “I mean how many people get to do fun things like this and be as creative as we can be here and all our customers are amazing. They come here happy and we make sure they leave happier.”
Jim Donovan
