Riding on the momentum of last year’s record-breaking summer season, Asbury Park’s boardwalk retailers are returning again this year, filled with enthusiasm and hopes for an even bigger and better turnout of beachgoers for the summer of 2006. Pictured from left to right are: Janine Pesce of Exhibit A; Joan Marie Jewusiak of Just Beachy; Vicki King of Exhibit A; Robert Fitton, owner of Asbury Park Pedaler; Dennis Randall of Exhibit A; Ed Catalano with his family from Confetti’s Ice Cream; Ted and Diane Heleotis from Mayfair Boardwalk Grill; Stacy Catalano; Ed Gasper from Tides Restaurant; Kay Harris of Asbury Shutterbugs; Young Marie from Madame Marie; Bill Musgrave of Art’s Ices, Artie Fishman owner of Art’s Ices; Uri Kahanow, director of retail for Asbury Partners; Terry Reidy, city manager of Asbury Park; and Bruce Glorsky from Asbury Amusement Factory.

BOARDWALK RETAILERS RETURNING TO ASBURY PARK FOR UPCOMING SUMMER SEASON

Entrepreneurs Express Enthusiasm For Town’s Rebirth

ASBURY PARK, N.J., April 13, 2006 – Riding on the momentum of last year’s record-breaking summer season, Asbury Park’s boardwalk retailers are returning again this year, filled with enthusiasm and hopes for an even bigger and better turnout of beachgoers for the summer of 2006.

The retailers, totaling more than a dozen local and regional entrepreneurs, were initially drawn last year by a special offer of flexible lease terms and reasonable rents made by Asbury Partners, LLC, master developer of the Oceanfront Asbury 56-acre waterfront redevelopment. But the success of last year’s beach season, coupled with the excitement of the newly emerging luxury residential community now visible from the boardwalk, has brought them back.

“Last summer, these retailers came as pioneers, not really sure what the season would bring,” said Uri Kahanow, director of retail for Asbury Partners. “But having seen the thousands of people who flocked to the boardwalk last year, they can’t wait for the upcoming season to begin.”

“We had a wonderful experience last year,” said Joan Marie Jewusiak, co-owner along with her sister Patricia Ramirez of the Just Beachy boardwalk boutique, located in the First Avenue Pavilion. “We hope this summer doubles the fun. People are very excited about what is happening in Asbury.”

Like many of the retailers, Jewusiak plans to expand her retail offerings this year, adding new beach accessories, clothing choices and reading material to her already existing line of Asbury Park souvenirs, toys, beachwear, umbrellas, chairs, boogie boards and skin boards.

The Asbury Park Visitors’ Center will return to the First Avenue Pavilion to provide information about the growing list of entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities and about the progress of the City’s redevelopment. “Last summer was the very first time that I heard almost all positive remarks about Asbury,” said Ken Roth, Chairman of he Visitors’ Center Committee and a devotee of the city for more than 40 years. “Visitors were especially happy to see the new boardwalk, the newly renovated shops and the open walkway through the Casino between Asbury Park and Ocean Grove. We are now drawing people not only from the area or from the country, but from around the world.”

For father and son restaurateurs Ed and Eddie Gasper, the Asbury Park boardwalk has become an all-year-round business opportunity. The Gaspers kept their main restaurant, TIDES-eg: A Bistro By The Sea, open through the winter this year. “We were the only eatery open on the boardwalk all the way from Seaside Heights to Sandy Hook,” Ed said proudly. “Thanks to the good weather, there were some Sundays in January that were busier than July. We also had quite a number of private parties, including the Springsteen Fan Club and the Chamber of Commerce.”

The Gaspers own two other boardwalk establishments: Talluci’s in the First Avenue Pavilion, and The Beach Place in the Fifth Avenue Pavilion. “We’re totally renovating the menus for those establishments, offering more salads and more prepared take-out foods,” said Ed.

Other retailers are also refining and expanding their offerings. In the First Avenue Pavilion, The Asbury Amusement Factory, a fully equipped gaming arcade, is adding several new pinball games this year, including one called Sopranos Pinball, as well as basketball games and video roller coaster. The Asbury Park Pedaler, a bicycle shop offering bicycle sales, rentals, accessories and basic repairs, is broadening its offerings to include Phatcycles, Choppers US and electric conversion kits.

“This year we look forward to serving our customers in our outdoor seating area, with table service for our ice cream, coffee, waffles and desserts,” said Eddie and Stacy Catalano, owners of Confetti’s Ice Cream, an old fashioned ice cream parlor in the First Avenue Pavilion featuring more than 50 flavors of Italian ices, ice cream and a variety of dessert and coffee specialties. “It is very exciting to be part of such a successful rebirth in Asbury Park.”

Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, a regional chain of confectionary shops that specializes in home-made chocolates, fudge, and other delectable delights, will also return to the First Avenue Pavilion this year. “Last year was Gertrude Hawk Chocolates’ first venture at a boardwalk location,” said Kathy Mongiello, who manages their Ocean County Mall and Asbury Park boardwalk shops. “We were very happy with our end-of-year results and anticipate an even better year for the upcoming season as we roll out several new unique and summer specific items.”

Additions Also Seen at Third and Fifth Avenue Pavilions
DEEP, an exciting theme bar and music establishment, is back at the Third Avenue Pavilion, as is the Mayfair Boardwalk Grill. “The Mayfair is celebrating its 20th year on the Asbury Park boardwalk,” noted Diane Heleotis, co-owner along with husband Ted.

“We offer the Original Boardwalk hot dog, French fries, Jersey pork roll, Philly cheese steak, ice cream, shakes and more.”

Artie Fishman, owner of Art’s Ices in the Fifth Avenue Pavilion, has enlarged his selection of soft ice-cream and gourmet Italian ices, and has added new specialties to his menu this year, and is already putting up his sign in anticipation of the next season. “Last year was a great beginning,” he said. “With the new condominiums going up as part of the Oceanfront Asbury redevelopment, we expect a lot more action as people come down to the boardwalk to see what’s happening,” he said.

“We’re really excited about this new season,” agreed Kay Harris, who established the Galleria in the Fifth Avenue Pavilion. “We’re looking forward to the summer and expect this to be another successful year.” Last year, The Galleria housed Harris’s own Asbury Shutterbugs photo gallery and Kathy’s Beach House, a retailer selling beach-related items. This year, a new business has joined the Galleria. Donna Juliano and Wendy Gregorzek, owners of the Cornucopia in downtown Asbury Park, are opening a second location on the boardwalk, specializing in the sale of specialty foods, cappuccino, coffee, desserts, cards and gifts.

Also returning is Exhibit A, an art gallery/shop and event space featuring revolving exhibits from local artists. “We had such a great experience last summer, that we wanted to return,” said Denis Randall, one of the partners of Exhibit A. And the amazing Madame Marie, a fortune teller whose booth has become a boardwalk landmark, will once again greet visitors near the Fifth Avenue Pavilion.

“Madame Marie is not the only one who senses what the future holds for Asbury Park,” said Larry Fishman, president and chief executive officer of Asbury Partners. “These eager retailers, the thousands of visitors who frequented their shops last season, the hundreds of families already investing in new homes here, as well as residents and business owners all along the Jersey Shore, are all upbeat about the future of this City by the Sea. The 2006 summer season will be even more exciting than the last, and just a taste of wonderful things to come.”