Business & Tech
With Warm Weather, Boardwalk Businesses See Offseason Boost
Most stores remained closed, but many were open on Saturday afternoon as temperatures were steadily in the 50s.
With temperatures approaching the 60s, hundreds were walking, cycling and jogging up and down the Boardwalk on Saturday afternoon.
For some businessness that remain open year round, this was just an uncommonly busy offseason day, but for others that normally remain closed, it was an excuse to open.
Dave Miller, who works in various roles for Gillian's, opened up the miniature course and snack stand around 11 a.m. on Saturday.
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"When I saw the weather, I said to the general manager, might as well take a shot and see," he said. "Give it a shot and hope for the best."
At first, business was slow for Miller, but as the afternoon progressed, more groups were stopping for a quick round on the course or for a hot dog. Miller said the course is "very rarely" open during January and February.
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was the only other miniature golf course open on the boardwalk on Saturday afternoon. Tom Ferguson, who lives in Ocean City and has worked for the golf course for approximately 10 years, was manning the entrance.
"Last year, we were not open at all in January, February or March," said Ferguson. "The weather's changed...if it's warm, they come out."
Ferguson opened the course at 10 a.m., but business didn't start picking up until 1 or 2 p.m. at Goofy Golf.
Some businesses— (there were lines out the door on Saturday afternoon), , , , , and others—are open year-round, for some only on weekends.
But the majority of Boardwalk shops, even on temperate days like Saturday, remain shuttered during the winter months. Still, following First Day and First Night last week, some shop owners knew the Boardwalk might be busy enough to open on Saturday.
Even one of the Kohr Bros. soft serve stands was open, and plenty of people were lounging on benches with cones on the 10th street entrance to the boardwalk.
Some people were making their way to the beach, some with beach chairs, and others just to take a stroll along the water.
Many workers and business owners attributed the decision to open not only to the weather, but also to the number of people who attended last week.
