On the eve of Memorial Day Weekend on Friday (May 23), four Ocean City businesses opened their doors in time for the summer season. City and Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce officials participated in ribbon-cutting ceremonies to mark the occasion.
All but six of Ocean City's 119 downtown businesses are occupied and open for business.
ARTISAN BODY
Where: 918 Asbury Avenue
What: Ione Talese — daughter of artist Marian Talese, niece of author Gay Talese and sister of Ocean City cafe owner Jon Talese — introduces a new shop featuring artisan body products, hand-made and hand-cut soaps and other organic and natural products. Talese fills a newly renovated spot on the 900 block of Asbury Avenue unoccupied since Superstorm Sandy.
More info: 609-398-5661
BLUE EDEN
Where: 811 Asbury Avenue
What: Ocean City High School grad Lauren Beakley and Caroline Ranoia bring a women's specialty boutique to a spot formerly occupied by Kidz Creations. The pair have a successful shop in Stone Harbor and their products include sea glass designs from local artists, organic bath and body products and Kut from the Kloth clothing from Nordstrom.
More info: blueedenstoneharbor.com
CALL WAITING LLC
Where: Mobile business making house calls
What: Ever have to take a day off from work to wait for home services: cable/phone providers, home repair contractors, furniture/package deliveries, medication deliveries or appliance service appointments? A new company owned by respected community member Jane Custer will do the waiting for you. Rates include $35 for two hours.
More info: 609-374-7959 or
[email protected] or
visit website
REAL ESTATE HOME DESIGN CENTER
Where: 754 Asbury Avenue
What: A new professional services office on the 700 block of Asbury Avenue creates a one-stop shop for anybody interested in investing in Ocean City property. The building includes offices for Halliday Architects (Christopher and Shannon Halliday), the Ocean City Development Group (Patrick Halliday and Brian Bourgeois) and a branch office of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services (Patrick Halliday, Brian Bourgeois and Stephen Booth). The entities operate independently, but the partnership allows customers to research, purchase, design and build properties with the help of the same group.
More info: hallidayarchitects.com,
oceancitydevelopment.com