By TIM KELLY
Brilliant sunshine, temperatures in the 80s and smiling faces are typical of a summer day in Ocean City.
Tuesday, though, was anything but typical.
Instead of beaches packed blanket-to-blanket, there was plenty of room to spread out. Traffic issues were virtually nonexistent. Available parking, usually just a rumor in the summer months, could be found easily – even near restaurants, beaches and the Boardwalk.
One other atypical aspect: local residents were much easier to find than they were just a few hours previously.
Welcome to what some people have taken to calling “Locals Summer.” It’s a time when area residents savor the nearly three more remaining weeks of summer, featuring smaller crowds and a slower pace.
And it also must be said that plenty of savvy visitors were still around or had just arrived following the departure of the masses.
“It’s as if somebody turned off a faucet,” said Brenda Pedone of Brigantine, who walked up to the counter at Johnson’s Popcorn and purchased a tub of the iconic local treat with virtually no wait.
“There’s no problem getting into town, getting out of town or getting around town,” Pedone added.
Her friend, Tom Pantalena, also of Brigantine and a native of the Ducktown section of Atlantic City, summed it up: “We came here a couple weeks ago and had to park on Simpson Avenue (five blocks distant),” he said. “Today, there were all kinds of spots on Wesley,” which is just a block’s stroll to the boards.
For year-round Ocean City residents Ron and Peggy DeFelice, it was a time to window shop and stroll Asbury Avenue’s shopping district hand-in-hand.
“What a difference a day makes,” Peggy DeFelice said. “Now is the time of year many locals who are working during the (unofficial summer season) have the chance to get out and enjoy. More locals come out.”
She said that she noticed more local families with pre-school age children out and about.
“Before now, I think some parents were reluctant to bring the younger kids out when the crowds were so much larger,” she said. “It’s just an easier time for those young families.”
Nearby, Debra Filippini, of Cape May Court House, said Locals Summer “is all about parking.”
She said she enjoys shopping downtown in Ocean City and also in Stone Harbor. “But that’s almost unthinkable” during the regular summer months, she noted.
“It’s beautiful, just look at this weather. I love Ocean City. I just do not love the huge crowds,” Filippini said.
At the same time, Filippini acknowledged how vital tourism is to the regional economy. “We love the visitors. We need them,” she said, while adding, “I also love relaxing, and now we can do that.”
Her sister, Roberta Stopyra, also of Cape May Court House, was a bit more blunt. “We’re reclaiming the Jersey Shore,” she said, laughing. “When the (masses of visitors) were driving home over the bridge, I waved goodbye.”
Ocean City High School juniors Alex Antonov and Birdie Stewart had opposite viewpoints about the post-Labor Day exodus. They were enjoying their last days of summer vacation prior to the opening of school on Thursday.
“I miss the visitors,” Stewart said. “It’s more fun and exciting when there are a lot of people around. It can get a little boring sometimes (in the off-season).”
Antonov disagreed. “It’s really nice right now,” she said. “It just feels more local and a lot less crowded. It’s easier to relax and spend more time enjoying the town.”
Merchant Helena Hamilton’s consignment store “Could be Yours,” at 715 Asbury Avenue, was buzzing with activity, including a local shopper who declined to be identified, but laughed when she was told about this article topic.
“To tell you the truth, I’m a little bit sad to see the visitors go,” Hamilton said, quickly pointing out that it wasn’t so much about her store’s bottom line. “I have absolutely no complaints. It was the best summer ever.”
“But we’re open all year, and we do well. I just hate to see people unhappy when they leave,” she continued. “I get it. This is a great place to be and they want to stay longer. We (locals) don’t have to leave.”
On the Boardwalk, retirees Margaret Simon and her husband, Mike, of Galloway Township, were sitting on a bench, people-watching and munching on a snack.
“This is a longstanding family tradition, to come to Ocean City on the Tuesday after Labor Day,” Margaret Simon said. “It’s more enjoyable. Most of the businesses are still open. It’s less crowded. It’s less hot. We’ve been doing this since our (now grown) kids were little.”
Mike Simon, a former air traffic controller at the Federal Aviation Administration’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township, said he was looking forward to attending the annual air show in Ocean City later this month.
“We were long overdue to get over here,” he said.
On the beach, retired teacher Jennifer Dagrossa, of the Seaville section of Upper Township, reclined on her beach chair and took in the sights and sounds.
“I love coming to the beach,” she said. “Sometimes I go to Sea Isle because it’s closer, but today I really wanted to come here and enjoy my Ocean City favorites. I had breakfast at Bob’s Grill and a John’s Lemonade. I had a nice long bike ride. The weather is beautiful and there’s so much more room to just relax and enjoy everything.”
