Michelle,

If you want people to feel that Ocean City is now open, then the stores have to welcome you. Yesterday, my Wife and I visited Avalon Carpeting for some help on carpet replacement in our house. The staff at Avalon Carpeting in my opinion, quickly recognized that our needs were not the multi-thousand dollar floor replacement, and truly we felt that we were invisible. After waiting for assistance for about one half hour, we left. If you want me to come back to sopping in Ocean City, you have to make your customer feel welcome. We did not feel welcomed.

I have had the opposite reaction from the merchants. I have done almost all of my shopping and dining in Ocean City in the last few weeks. The merchants I encountered have been welcoming & happy for the business. I am trying to support the local economy. I was surprised to see how quickly they came back. I enjoyed seeing the decorations and the horse and buggy rides.

I know what you mean. I did not go to Avalon carpet. It's a shame some people behave that way. One would think they would try to be more accommodating to every customer.

My wife and I have done as much shopping as possible in Ocean City since the storm. While I was working on our storm damaged home on Bay Ave my wife was able to finish our Christmas shopping on the Avenue. (She promised to treat me to Manco and Manco pizza if I got the second coat of paint on the living room before dinner).

Fortunately for me, I was able to finish painting and get my pizza. Then we visited some shops and I've never felt more welcome in a store. I think the folks in some of the stores would have hugged us if they werent behind a counter.
My advice is to come, eat and shop! Give and receive hugs where possible and congratulate the shop owners on the great job they've done bringing the city back to life.

Sting Ray at 854 Asbury ave, directly across from city hall, reopened on Dec 1st and is open daily 10-6 and 10-4 on sundays - some how it missed the list. We are a nautical gift and home decor store with excellent customer service!!!
www.oldsalt-stingray.com

Is Mew to You open yet? I am concerned about the cat rescue program that the store supports.

Joyce

I have a hard time believing that the folks at Avalon Carpet were nothing short of professional, attentive, helpful, courteous and just plain nice. I am in Avalon Carpet multiple times a year. Not only do they service me with a smile, but I always witness how well Joyce, Chuck and the rest of the crew treat their other customers with the same great service that they give me. Marty, I would give them another try.

i visited Avalon and all I needed was the carpet and padding removed in my garage apartment and an idea of what I could install to prevent this from happening again. They spent all the time I needed (for a job under $2,000) and within a couple of days they ripped out the soggy carpet so the remediation of the drywall could begin. I am thoroughly impressed with their quick action to prevent mold problems, as well as their recommendation that I install a linoleum plank style product to replace the carpet.

Don't shop at Asbury ave Gallery of shops. The owners of the builder are immoral greedy people. They allowed thousand of dollars of the merchandise ,which of course did not belong to them ,to be ruin in the storm. They basically said if you don't like it get out. Thatwhy there are empty space or new vendors. You will also notice the beautiful mural has is been painted over. They didn't want to pay the artist, so they painted it over. Nasty people!!!

Marty,
This is Chuck Borland,manager of Avalon Carpet and Tile in Ocean City.I'm sorry to hear about your recent experience at Avalon.I would like to appologize and assure you that your experience was not typical.We have been very busy with a number of in-home estimates that left us shorthanded in the showroom.I hope that you can find time to stop back in and ask for me personally,and I will be glad to help you with your flooring needs.

A new store in Ocean City has opened called Trash to Treasures. They just opened about 2 weeks ago. I went in there twice already as the owners say they get new merchandise all the time. Very nice people and very welcoming. they even have coffee and cookies for you. Great prices. Great mix of everything. Last mintue Christmas shopping on a budget go there. We have to support these local businesses.

Marty, I had a very similar experience with avalon tile store. I waited for a very long time and was ignored, so I left. I have bought a lot of supplies from avalon in the past, but this visit was unaccceptable. All I was trying to do was to get my house back together after the storm. Since they didn't help me, I left and went across the bridge to Coast tile in EHT and they welcomed me and my business with open arms and the prices were much better. Avalon just lost my business forever. Other businesses in OC that I patronized were very helpful and accommodating. I will continue to shop at those stores but not Avalon tile!

I just want to thank the community for supporting the downtown...not only for your shopping needs, but we at Sun Rose Words & Music could not have opened as quickly as we did without the help of the many volunteers from our town. Thank you for shopping downtown and helping us get back open.

Don't let the notorious Avalon Carpet battle axes discourage you from shopping OC Downtown. Every other store I've been in has friendly and professional staff.

It is so nice to have people come into your store knowing that this has been a tremendous amount of work to get open again. Everyone asks how WE are doing and then they welcome us back. One customer and I almost started crying. Their warm wishes and nice comments about the new renovations make it seem like maybe Sandy helped us in some way. Between the Welcoming Customers and the wonderful Volunteers, our stores could not be open without your support. We are glad to be back and WE Thank You. We love Happy people at The Asbury Attic, Children's Consignment & More, 825 Asbury Happy Holiday's Rosemary (hugs optional)

For Ocean City Patch Readers,

I just returned from visiting Chuck Borland at Avalon Carpet and Tile. Chuck was very apologetic for the treatment that we received which was caused by a large volume of customers and a shortage of staff at the time we went. I believe he is sincere in his comments, and I ended up purchasing what we were looking for. Without a doubt, I would go back to Avalon Carpet and Tile for any future needs that I have. I appreciate your help Chuck. Thank You.

Marty - The lesson here is that if you want good service at Avalon Carpet - you have to do two things: 1) Make your initial visit and be treated poorly 2) Describe your experience on The Patch and 3) Go back to the store for an apology and to get the kind of treatment you should have gotten during the first visit.

uhhhhh, make that 3 things.

For all you carpet and flooring shoppers who want to keep your business local, i can highly recommend Ocean City Carpet at 14th & Asbury. We went there to replace carpet and flooring damaged in the flood waters and they couldn't have been nicer. They have a great selection and their prices aren't any more than you'd find at the big box stores.

Thanks for the update on Mew to You. It is good to know they are back up and running. Living in Washington State I have been very concerned about them. They do such a great job and are always in need of volunteers so I was afraid that Hurricane Sandy would be too much for them to handle.

I shop many stores in ocean city and will continue to give them my business. I have shopped at AVALON CARPET and the staff was very helpful and took time to assist me with whatever I needed. I am thankful that they give each customer the time and attention that they need. I hope people continue to shop Local - OCEAN CITY !

I have shopped at Avalon Carpet in Ocean City for many years now for both my businesses and my own residences. The staff in Ocean City consistently provide quality products and great prices with phenomenal customer service. Since the hurricane, the Ocean City store has done a tremendous job of getting up and running again to provide for the residences of Ocean City and the surrounding communities despite some of the staff working on repairing the damage to their own homes. I am a loyal customer and will remain a customer for years to come.

does anyone believe Ocean city will be back to normal for Summer 2013.. I pray for a quick return to normal for all.