Ocean Grove Stays Open After Hours
By HELEN PIKE
Saturday night life is picking up at the shore.
Ocean Grove is the newest community to roll out the welcome mat in a bid to lure the public to its downtown thoroughfare for shopping and entertainment.
Its a pleasure to meet and talk with our loyal customers, said Steve Mandeville, owner of The Comfort Zone, contrasting the relaxed atmosphere of the events chilly debut with the hectic nights of the hot summer season.
This is the dead of winter, added Mandeville as he looked around his store, bustling with friendly faces despite the commonly accepted notion that individuals wont go to a Jersey beach resort in February. Attendance will only get better.
The brain child of Century 21 Coastal Realtors Gary Huizenga and Alfredo Fresnedo, After Hours Ocean Grove takes its cue from First Saturday Night in neighboring Asbury Park, a monthly event launched in December 2004 in which retailers stay open from 6 to 10 p.m..
Food, drinks, musicians and various entertainers create a festive atmosphere that complements the restaurants and music clubs.
To avoid competition, After Hours Ocean Grove is laying claim to the third Saturday night. Participating stores, galleries and even offices, primarily along Main Avenue, will remain open until 9 p.m., serving libations and finger food as humble as ginger snaps and as elaborate as turkey wraps and imported cheeses.
Wind gusting off the Atlantic and a mercury hovering in the teens didnt deter the intrepid who wanted to claim being the promotional campaigns first participants. At 7:20 p.m. a group of out-of-towners descended on News & Such, lining up to buy lottery tickets for the Connecticut Power Ball and hard candy to help get them through the rest of the evening.
As the days warm up, more people will come out, observed a confident proprietor and News co-owner Vicki LaBella.
After Hours Ocean Grove is great for the merchants, said Angela Huizenga who, along with Michele Gannon represents the Swiss botanical company Arbonne International. It didnt hurt Asbury Park, either, as revelers could be overheard making plans to check out that downtowns revival despite its construction zone appearance.
Though she could have easily been speaking for the twin cities, Gannon clearly showed her loyalty by adding, We want Ocean Grove to be a year-round community.
Expect a St. Patricks theme for the next After Hours on March 18.
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