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When a fire broke out in June at Shore True Value, the owners weren’t the only ones who were distraught. The devoted customers, many of them who have grown up going to the family-owned landmark business in Somers Point, were also saddened by its closing. As the store reopened Monday, a steady stream of cars filled the parking lot by the afternoon. A sign in front read: “We missed you. Re-opening Oct. 15 at 8 a.m.”

The Ocean City Police Department Activity Report for the week of Oct 7-13 includes a total of 442 calls for service, for a daily average of 63 calls.

Katie Baccala, of Ocean City, may be a chili connoisseur. After taste testing samples at the third annual Chili Chowder Festival at the Ocean City Music Pier on Sunday, she found her favorite. “The second one is the best. It tastes just like spaghetti sauce,” the 13-year-old said with a laugh. Hundreds of people brought their appetites with them to the Music Pier for the festival, which was presented by the Ocean City Restaurant Association.

Peter Avagliano loves his German shepherd Jake. He also is prepared to give him up. Avagliano, of Galloway Township, is a puppy raiser who works with The Seeing Eye, an organization in Morristown, N.J., that trains dogs to be companions for the sight-impaired. Avagliano, and a handful of other seeing eye puppy raisers, spoke during a program at the Ocean City Free Public Library on Saturday.

The government watchdog group Fairness In Taxes submitted a petition Tuesday to force the city to hold a public referendum on a proposed $9 million property deal supported by the mayor and City Council. The city has a tentative agreement to buy a large tract of land, nearly a full block, bordered by Simpson and Haven avenues between 16th and 17th streets. The site is where the former Ocean City Chevrolet dealership once stood before going out of business in January.

The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce has increased its social media platform to attract even more visitors to “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” Over the last year, e-marketing strategies designed to boost tourism seem to be working, according to a report by Shawnda McGinnis during the Chamber’s Business Summit Oct. 4 at the Ocean City Yacht Club. “It has been a very busy season for the Chamber,” said McGinnis, the Chamber's marketing director...

The total number of calls for service were: 578 and the daily average was: 83...

Ed Aleszczyk scooped out a hearty helping of New England clam chowder and handed it to a very pleased customer Sunday during Ocean City’s Seafood Festival. The patron was one of many, who lined up to order fresh seafood from Spadafora’s Seafood Restaurant, one of a few local eateries featured at the festival on the Music Pier.

Ocean City’s Fall Block Party on Saturday should made it clear to visitors and residents - this is no seasonal town. Festivities, shows and shopping galore are featured year-round. On Saturday, Asbury Avenue bulged from 5th to 14th Street with an estimated 40,000 people. Some families said the block party is a tradition they never miss. Others said they just learned about it and wanted to get a jumpstart on holiday shopping. The day was capped off by fireworks over the Music Pier.

Ocean City’s business community and tourism industry will soon have a new high-tech tool to help them attract new customers with an expanded app offering cash-free transactions. The app, and the 2018 summer season, were discussed at the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Summit at the Ocean City Yacht Club, 100 Bay Ave., Thursday night.