By MADDY VITALE
The owners of GG’s Diamond Cleaners have been through an ordeal that might have closed their shop for months. A winter storm dumped 14 inches of snow on Ocean City on Jan. 3, leading to the roof partially collapsing.
The dry-cleaning business at 609 Asbury Ave. is a staple for locals. Owners James and Hee Hong over the years have developed a relationship with their customers. Judging by the outpouring of support for the Hongs, they are appreciated for what they do for the community.
The Hongs, of Upper Township, said in a statement through their son, Dr. Andrew Hong, an Ocean City dentist, that they hope to reopen by the end of the month.
“Currently, we are not open and are cleaning and remodeling the business. We will not know until Tuesday about an exact date, but we are hoping to reopen at the end of this month,” the Hongs said in a statement.
On Saturday, people were busy inside GG’s, but the store remained closed, as it has been since Jan. 4. No one was injured in the incident, and the building was unoccupied at the time.
A portion of what made up GG’s dry-cleaning operations was knocked down this past week. No further information was provided by the Hongs about the building that was demolished. However, the main building and storefront for GG’s still stands and does not appear to have suffered damage from the roof collapse.
Over the last few weeks, the community has come together to help the Hongs get through the difficult time.
On Saturday, Mayor Jay Gillian said this of the Hongs: “We have worked closely with the owners and we will continue to help in any way we can.”
The Hongs have had their dry-cleaning business in downtown Ocean City for decades, and loyal customers and others who felt for the family gave donations.
Generosity started with Catherine Panico, whose husband, dentist Dr. William Panico, works with Dr. Hong. Catherine set up a GoFundMe page for the Hongs after the dry-cleaning business closed down. Donations came pouring in.
Jilly’s Boardwalk and downtown shops co-owner Jody Levchuk, who is also a city councilman, hosted two fundraisers for the Hongs and is hosting another at Jilly’s Arcade on Jan. 25.
The mayor and other members of City Council have given sizable donations to the Hong family.
The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce and a host of residents and businesses also donated to the family. OCNJ CARE, a nonprofit organization that helps those in the community who need assistance, also provided support for the Hongs.
The Hongs said that they are so appreciative of all that the people in Ocean City have done on behalf of them and their business.
“We thank the Ocean City community for their support — please pray for us as we continue to move on,” the Hongs said in their statement. “God bless.”
