By Maddy Vitale
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors opened a new Ocean City office with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, reflecting the company’s confidence in the market and also a sign of the growth of the city’s real estate industry.
The new office is located at 901 Simpson Avenue, Suite A, at the corner of Ninth Street.
BHHS Fox & Roach Broker Manager Peter Madden heads the office.
“I think real estate is one of the biggest businesses in town and one of the catalysts for trades,” said Madden, who is also the Ocean City Council president. “Real estate brings everyone into the town, and I think it is great we are continuing to prosper and reinvest in Ocean City.”
The new location is one of the most visible areas in the city, located on the Ninth Street corridor into town.
The beautification of the Ninth Street gateway was a key factor in Berkshire Hathaway’s decision to move there. A landscaped park at the foot of the bridge has replaced two blighted abandoned gas stations. The project was done through a funding partnership between the city and the county, making the entrance to the city more inviting to visitors.
Madden emphasized that the new location will take advantage of the beautified corridor.
“We, as a company, really appreciate what is being done on the Ninth Street corridor,” he noted.
The new location replaces the offices at 421 Battersea Road and 5501 West Avenue. Berkshire Hathaway’s other main location is at 109 34th Street, another highly trafficked area.
“We are repositioning ourselves to the two main hubs in the city,” Madden said.
Nicole Presnall is the sales manager for the 34th Street office. She said she is so excited for the team at the new office.
A host of dignitaries from city government and the business community attended the ceremony. Madden was joined by his wife, Ashley. Mayor Jay Gillian was also on hand to show his support.
He said Berkshire Hathaway adds another high-profile business entity to enhance the city’s main artery in and out of town. The office is located in the family-owned McMahon Insurance Agency building, which celebrated its grand opening at the site in March.
“Our goal has been to clean up Ninth Street. We need these types of businesses on Ninth Street,” Gillian said.
Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michele Gillian added, “It is so important that businesses like Berkshire Hathaway invest in a new location. It is not just right for Ocean City, but for the community.”
The new office for BHHS Fox & Roach is a sign of the company’s confidence in the future of Ocean City’s business community, officials said.
“Any time a local, established business can grow it furthers the community. It shows the strength of the local businesses,” Ocean City Councilman Bob Barr said.
President of BHHS Fox & Roach Joan Docktor, who oversees 65 offices in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania, praised the teamwork of the company’s employees as a major factor for the success of the Berkshire Hathaway in Ocean City.
Docktor added, “We have a tremendous group of people here.”
