By ELLEN CARROLL
The last time Asbury Park collected so much money in beach revenue the elder Bush was in the White House.
The city has collected $165,126 in beach fees through Aug. 28, said Gary Giberson, director of the department of public maintenance. Thats more than 50 percent over what was collected all of last season, and theres still a three-day holiday weekend coming up.
Its been many, many years since we sold this many badges, he said. Longer than I can remember; at least since the 80s. If we have a good weekend we might make $175,000.
Visitors and residents returned to the Asbury Park beaches and boardwalk this summer in droves. This was the scene on a recent weekend at the Fifth Avenue Beach.
The city sold 1856 season beach badges, 504 more than last year.
We had a very good season, Giberson said, and we are looking forward to doing even better next year.
Giberson said the citys safe beaches along with events coordinated by Asbury Partners, the citys redeveloper contributed to the successful season.
Visitors flocked to the Asbury Park boardwalk this summer for a variety of reasons including free weekend concerts and visiting the new shops opened along the boardwalk.
It has been a turn-around banner summer on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, far exceeding everyones expectations, noted Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Asbury Partners.
Based on the traffic, boardwalk retailers will remain open on weekends after Labor Day according to Uri Kahanow who oversees leasing for the company. As long as the crowds keep coming to enjoy the sand, surf and seaside attractions, the retailers will be here.
Many boardwalk retailers credited the success to the June opening of the Casino Walkway connecting Asbury Park and Ocean Grove. People walked here from neighboring towns, said Robert Fitton, owner of Asbury Pedalers, a bicycle repair, rental and sales shop in the First Avenue Pavilion. They rode our bicycles all the way to Spring Lake and Deal. Our most popular rental was the tandem bicycle, but we also had a lot of younger riders on bikes and many with baby seats.
Every weekend has been fantastic, added Kay Harris, who opened the Galleria, which includes two shops, her own Asbury Shutterbugs photo gallery, and Kathys Beach House. Customers have come from all over the country and the world—New Yorkers with vacation homes in the area and people from as far away as the United Kingdom, Finland and Canada. Many have heard of Asbury Park because of Bruce Springsteen, and they are curious about the citys rebirth. They enjoyed the old photos of Asbury Park, shared stories about their own experiences, and said over and over: Were so happy to see Asbury come back.
Fitton, who lives in Glen Ridge, described a special place in his heart for Asbury Park: I have had an affinity for this city all my life. I came here as a kid, and when I came back and saw what was happening, I knew I had to be here.
Joan Marie Jewusiak and Trish Ramirez, sisters who own the Just Beachy boutique, live in Manalapan and Ortley Beach, respectively. My parents always took us here as children. Then, as a teenager, I spent many nights at the Stone Pony, said Jewusiak. The sisters have been selling beachy items such as t-shirts, hats, beach chairs and umbrellas.
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