Boardwalk Merchants Association President Wes Kazmarck
Wes Kazmarck, the 2025 Citizen of the Year, will be honored at the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year and Outstanding Business and Beautification Awards.
The awards dinner will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Ocean City Yacht Club, 100 Bay Road.
Kazmarck’s roots in the business community run deep. He is a third-generation business owner in Ocean City. His grandparents built several hotels in town. His late father, Alex Kazmarck, opened Surf Mall. Wes Kazmarck and his brother, Chris, have co-owned Surf Mall for many years.
Kazmarck, 48, who serves as president of Ocean City’s Boardwalk Merchants Association and the Boardwalk representative to the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, is also a member of B.A.N.D. (Business and Neighborhood Development).
In addition to Surf Mall, Kazmarck owns and operates the Birdcage clothing boutique in both Sea Isle City and Stone Harbor.
In 2008, Kazmarck began Mummers Nights on the Boardwalk in cooperation with the city’s Family Nights.
Kazmarck and his wife, Darcy, have two children, Liam, 16, a junior at Ocean City High School and Piper, 19, a sophomore at Arizona State University.
In addition to celebrating Kazmarck, the Chamber of Commerce dinner will spotlight some of the businesses and organizations that help make Ocean City a thriving year-round and vacation destination.
Here are the winners of the Outstanding Business and Beautification Awards:
Outstanding New Business:
Holiday Coffee
Lululemon
Business Renovation/Improvement:
The Spotted Whale
Piccini Restaurant
Salt Works Studio
Outstanding Landscaping/Signage:
Yianni’s Cafe
Stainton’s Kids
Three Little Birds
New Construction:
The Yard
J. Bradley Capital
Ocean City Cars and Trucks
Best Website/Use of Technology:
Little Travelers
Pacaless
Environmentally Friendly:
The Garb Collection
Outstanding Service to the Community – Nonprofit:
Knights of Columbus Ocean City
Outstanding Service to the Community:
Ocean City Free Public Library
Exchange Club of Ocean City
Special Recognition:
Greate Bay Racquet & Fitness – Parkinson’s Program
Best New Family Friendly Business:
The Board Room
Alicia’s Balloon Boutique
Best New Restaurant:
Blue Cactus Taco Shop
OC Lobster Pot
Citizen of the Year:
Wes Kazmarck
Anniversary Recognition:
The Spotted Whale, 10 years
Hearth and Sole, 10 years
Island Gypsy, 10 years
JiLLy’s French Fry Factory, 25 years
JiLLy’s T-Shirt Factory, 25 years
Island Grill, 30 years
JiLLy’s Ice Cream, 40 years
JiLLy’s Arcade, 50 years
Avalon Flooring, 65 years
Storybook Land, 70 years
Colony Club, 75 Years
For dinner reservations or to congratulate the winners in the 2025 Program Book, contact the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce at 609-399-1412 or email [email protected].
