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Businesses along the Jersey Shore are eagerly preparing for Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. From candy shops to surf stores, local vendors are hoping for good weather to draw crowds to the beach. In Margate, Dino's Subs and Pizza is gearing up for its 61st season, with owner Tim Wainwright saying they are ordering heavily and over-staffing in anticipation of a busy weekend. Jagielky's homemade candy is also stocking up on their classic treats to meet the expected demand.
Real estate agents like Audrey Panitch Levin from the Novelli Group note that more rental properties are available this year, which is unusual for the holiday weekend. She attributes this to a post-pandemic trend where more people bought properties to rent out during the summer season.
In Wildwood, businesses like Kona Surf Company are preparing by increasing their inventory. Owner Chris Sciarra expressed hope that the crowds will be as large as in previous years. Martell's Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach has been gradually building up its liquor inventory since April, with bar manager Michael St. George emphasizing the importance of hiring enough staff for the summer.
Despite the excitement, there are some concerns about a potential decline in Canadian tourists due to tariff and visa issues. This could impact tourism, especially in areas like Wildwood, which is a popular destination for Canadians.