Crowds Delight in “Market Madness”

By MADDY VITALE The Ocean City Music Pier was transformed into a mega-shopping venue on Saturday, when Boardwalk and Downtown shops joined for “Market Madness.” Despite some snow, sleet, wind gusts and chilly temps, crowds came out to enjoy the one-day sales event. With over 40 different vendors at the Music Pier, shoppers had clothing, jewelry, toys, food, amusement park tickets and a host of other items to choose from -- giving bargain hunters a one-stop shopping experience with plenty of deals and discounts. Meghan and Zach Hilt, of West Deptford, Gloucester County, brought their children, 4-month-old daughter, Claire, and 2-year-old daughter, Charlotte. “It’s really good for the kids and it is nice to see all of the vendors,” Meghan Hilt said, as her husband, Zach, walked up with a newly purchased Ocean City sweatshirt in hand. The Hilt family, of West Deptford in Gloucester County, enjoys a day of shopping. Meghan’s mom, Maureen Brady, who recently bought a home in Ocean City, also came along to catch some sales with her granddaughter, 18-month-old, Helena Zajko. “We’ve been here a couple of hours and we bought some pillows and things,” Brady said. “I really like how it is in the Music Pier. When I heard the weather, I was happy it was inside.” Market Madness is in its second year. The Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Association and Downtown Merchants Association created the event in 2020 as an early-season attraction. It was held inside the historic Flanders Hotel in 2020, but was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michele Gillian said a few words about Market Madness. “It is a wonderful event. It brings people into town to see all that the merchants have to offer in one location,” she noted. “It shows that Ocean City businesses really work well together.” Shoppers browse clothing on vendor tables. While there were plenty of shoppers looking at clothing, household items and jewelry, some people, like Cheryl Weatherby, of Millville in Cumberland County, and her granddaughter, Addison, 6, were spending quite a bit of time by the toys at one of the Jilly’s Boardwalk shops tables. “This is our first time at Market Madness,” Weatherby said. “My granddaughter is having a lot of fun. It’s nice here because there is so much to see and it is warm." Addison had something specific on her mind as she eyed the many toys on the table. “I like these,” she said as she picked up several plush toys called “Squishmallows.” Weatherby just laughed as she watched her granddaughter get some help from Jilly’s employees Ksusha Levchuk and Tatiana Okhlopkova. “I want this one,” Addison said, as she picked up a large Squishmallow plush toy. “And I want this one!” Cheryl Weatherby, of Millville, and her granddaughter, Addison, select some toys with assistance from Jilly's employees Tatiana Okhlopkova, left, and Ksusha Levchuk. Jody Levchuk, co-owner of the Jilly’s Boardwalk and downtown shops, looked around the busy Music Pier. Levchuk, who is also an Ocean City councilman, said the event was good for the city because it brought in visitors during the offseason, giving businesses a boost and shoppers an idea of what the stores offer. “It’s a combination of any business who wanted to participate in town. It is a perfect opportunity for people to come in under one roof and shop,” Levchuk noted. “It is a nice social scene, too. People are chatting and enjoying themselves and it is kicking off the spring season.”