I am from NY, call it what you want, but this is identical to the indoor flea markets that have been there for years. So they share a central cashier ? Nice that Staintons will know exactly what each vendor is making. Too funny.

Downtown doesn't fit in with the "three b's" does it? That kind of points to its status as a step child in Ocean City. I hope the support of the CoC for the downtown will amount to something like the support it gives the "three b's" but I seriously doubt it.

From the pictures it looks better than I thought it would. I truly hope it succeeds but I'm not overly optomisitic that it will (after the curiousity wears off). And I don't think it will make OC a destination. I agree that it will most likely compete for the shoppers who wander downtown now. Which is not to say it won't help the downtown. As with so many other things it may not be THE solution but a part of the solution. Another part of the solution will probably go down on Tuesday, but don't worry folks; Ocean City won't change.

I can't tell you how sad it made me to walk through this area yesterday. "The vendors offer a mix of merchandise from apparel to woodcraft"? Thats exactly what was offered by the street vendors at the block party, and the merchandise duplicates what is offered at a lot of downtown shops and on the boardwalk. Yes, it was bright, clean and everyone seemed cheerful, but it was confusing to navigate. Everything that is offered there was exactly what was offered in a different setup at the last revamping of the area and those shops panned out in months - the ones that survived, like Gabrielles, are in different locations now.
Seems like all of the contingents in this town - maybe all towns - are at odds with the interests of the others. When this space had a chance to devote the top floors to the charter high school which would have attracted a large, student-friendly vendor like a Staples to the bottom floor the teachers union fought it, pushing for the new high school. The charter school went off to Somers Point and the space has been dying a slow death ever since. Just too sad.

Hard to navigate? The block party is a straight line down Asbury Ave.! The difference these merchants- were open for business! Good business going over the bridge to Somer Point? Sound familiar? VOTE YES ON MAY *th!

There are lots of 'mommy bloggers' and Printapons deal sites that track current coupons and store deals and list them online each week.

Sigh...... once the initial curiosity wears off.... Look this is clearly a flea market set up with little thought to quality of design.

Did anyone else notice the disparity in the finish out. Traditional columns - beachy claboard dividers - press 'n peel tile floors with a pattern of another style , were they all found on sale and the 'investors' grabbed whatever they could. Was the slab of black granite, the only omage to upscale? What about the paint? White and pastels. Stainton's looks like an overgrown hospital gift store. Very disappointing in this shoppers eyes.

Um, boring and cheap looking. It's like the Quaker city flea market road show. There is no uniqueness to this whatsoever. Big yawner. Maybe some blue hairs will come from Ac and spend $7. Yes to byob would be the boost downtown needs. "hospital gift store" haha, I love it!

I had low expectations, but hoped I was wrong. Sounds like I was right n the mark from the comments. I'll take a look when I am in OC in a few weeks. Maybe it will improve??

It's a shame they couldn't design the inside to be like a little nautical shanty-town with each booth like a little storefront with varying styles and textures. That would echo the plans for the facade of the Stainton's condos on the upper floors. Right now the aesthetics do not make me want to walk the aisles, much less wander into any of the spaces. It does remind me of the airport kiosks.

Poor planning. No progression. Downtown has 0 places to eat that would compete with other towns. There is so much potential that it's a travesty there isn't revitalization. Draconian laws and an anemic city council will do that.

Last Thursday, I had 4 friends in from Los Angeles. We went out to eat in margate. We spent $385 over the bridge. Pizza and cheesesteaks just wasn't cutting it for the 6 of us.

It is a shame that some people are comparing this to a flea market due to the co op concept. Some are commenting without even coming in to take a look for themselves. The owners carefully selected the vendors, and were specific with their requirements of offering only NEW merchandise. It is not used junk as in a flea market but we do have the variety. We are vendors at Stainton's and our inventory is high quality brand names such as Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Michael Kors, etc. Our store offers women's clothing, handbags, jewelry, and art and decor objects. We personally, have over $20k invested in our inventory in our small booth so I would hardly call it flea market! Everyone has worked really hard and it would be nice if people were more supportive instead of making negative comments and bashing the small business owners of the area. We are Ocean City residents year round so we would love to see downtown grow as a thriving shopping district. We do agree, however, there really are no great restaurants downtown. We usually travel over the bridge to Somers Point or beyond to eat out. At least, this is a start to bringing more of a variety to downtown. Hopefully this will attract more people, more businesses and who knows maybe even some great restaurants in the future. ********SEA SHELL DREAMING**********

ah yes...more MUDPIE...as if every other shop in every shore town doesn't already carry this overprices cheaply made clothing...but wait.... I can get flip flops to match my beach cover up tunic and beach bag--I though garanimals were for children?

Do we really need another group of stores that sells matching flip flops for the tourists and then shutters for the winter? Where are the stores that provide for the needs of the year round residents? Oh yeah I forgot, they are all leaving!