Ocean City businesses offer preview of the summer
OCEAN CITY — Representatives from downtown and boardwalk merchants gathered under one roof March 14-15 for the fifth annual Market Madness at the Ocean City Civic Center.
The shopping extravaganza offers an early sample of summer with discounts and specials on local merchandise, brands and attractions while a DJ spins the tunes amid prize giveaways.
It was the second year that the event was held at the Civic Center at Sixth Street and the boardwalk after several years at the Music Pier.
Wes Kazmarck, president of the Boardwalk Merchants Association, said he was reluctant to leave the waterfront location.
“For the longest time I didn’t really want to move it off the Music Pier, just because that day we had like 70 degree weather, you know, it would be an off-the-chart kind of day.”
Unfortunately, that day never came as the event was plagued nearly every year by rain, wind and snow.
The Civic Center has the advantage of abundant parking, an open layout and a more weather-friendly location.
“We’ve never looked back,” Kazmarck said, pointing to the large crowd during opening day. “I think the results speak for themselves here, right?”
Anthony Bayham, owner of Fisherman’s Cove on the boardwalk and Jewelry Hut downtown, was pleased with the change in venue to the Civic Center last year.
“I think the Civic Center has been the bright spot. It’s more open. You can see everything. It’s too cold on the boardwalk, so it was hard to get people to come up there.”
Kazmarck said Market Madness is the merchants’ kickoff to the season.
“It gets everybody motivated to get working and gets everyone excited for the season,” he said.
Bayham said he was excited to get past winter and “get out here with all the other vendors to kick off the season.”
His welcome mats were generating a lot of interest.
“I’ve been selling them for 12 years up at the boardwalk, but I started doing markets with them last year and they’re just a great item,” he said, noting they are made of nylon rope. “It’s an item that everyone needs for their front door, back door, outdoor shower; they’re phenomenal.”
While another summer is popping up on the horizon with no change in the status of the Wonderland Pier property, which has been closed since October 2024 at the north end of the boardwalk business district, Kazmarck said business owners still are upbeat.
“Boardwalk merchants by design are always optimistic no matter what, so we feel like we’re still Ocean City. Everyone loves coming here and we’re hoping it’s going to be an awesome summer. We’re doing everything that we can do in our power to make sure of that.”
Kazmarck said the city has increased live entertainment on the boardwalk to four nights in hopes of attracting more families.
“We have entertainment across the whole boardwalk this summer,” he said, noting Mummers Night and Family Nights.
He said other plans are in the works but he was not prepared to let the cat out of the bag just yet.
“I don’t want to bring something forward until we know we can pull it off,” Kazmarck said.
The beach, boardwalk and bay will always be what attracts tourists to the city, and Kazmarck said the island has always been really resilient.
“We’ve always found a way to weather the storm. We’re very optimistic it’s going to be a great summer,” he said, adding that depends a lot on the cooperation of Mother Nature.
Juliette Shirk, marketing manager for OC Waterparks and Adventure Golf on the 700 block of the boardwalk, was selling discounted season passes and waterpark-golf bundles, as well as showcasing the themed events planned for the summer.
Nearby, Andrew Neville was selling his mother’s homemade treats at Agape Gourmet’s booth. The Asbury Avenue food market offers high-quality ingredients for home-cooked dinners as well as prepared foods such as cold salads and charcuterie and fruit boards, boxes and bags. There’s also a huge selection of cheeses and salamis.
Heather Neville also owns Goodies Gone Wild on the boardwalk, offering fresh meats and jerkies from more than 30 different types of animals, including python, camel, bison and kangaroo, as well as more than 500 types of hot sauces and 200 types of sodas.
Corinne McCardell and Kevin Heck were selling women’s clothing and accessories from Seagrass Boutique on the 700 block of Asbury Avenue.
Heck said they use the event as a way to clear inventory ahead of the new season.
“Just like a blowout sale,” he said, noting they were offering $20 merchandise and 50 percent off holiday items.
Lauren Wilusc and her father, Anthony Cirillo, were checking out the welcome matts at the Fisherman’s Cove booth.
“My dad lives in Ocean City and I saw it advertised,” Wilusc said, adding that she drove down from Horsham, Pa., to surprise her dad.
Mary Foltz also was visiting, from nearby Northfield. She said she and three friends were staying on the island for the weekend and decided to do some shopping.
Brittany Long of Heritage Surf & Sport said the surf shop is ready to paddle out for another exciting ride.
“We’re looking great; we’re ready. We have all new spring product in,” she said, noting they were selling discounted fall and winter products.
Caryl Raible was shopping with her daughter Cassandra, 6, after driving in from Medford.
“I like the arcades and everything that is fun and pizza places because I love food,” Cassandra said.
“And shopping; we love shopping here,” Raible added.
Brandon Monokian and Laura Bretherick were working the booth for We Make It Personal, while next door Chris Freeman and Lynnette Cresta were selling sweet treats from Kilwins’.
“We sell candy, confections and ice cream at our store. So we predominantly do packaged candies, candies made in-store and fudges,” Freeman said, noting they make about half of the product they sell. “We have a kitchen right in our store. As soon as you walk in the door, you can watch me working.”
The shop is at 736 Wesley Ave. but the company was founded in Petoskey, Mich.
Lisa Catrambone was all smiles at the booth for White Lotus, on the corner of Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. She said the business sells handmade essential oil roll-ons with crystal bracelets at close to 100 fairs and festivals throughout the year.
“You can put the oil on your body and it helps with stress, anxiety, headaches, sleepy time,” she said, noting with pride that she makes them herself.
Other participating businesses included Air Circus, All Campus, Ashore Fit, Bad Kitty Kids, Bella U, Boba Works, Bowfish Kids, George’s Candies, Jay’s Crab Shack, Jilly’s Arcade, Jilly’s Stores, Johnson’s Popcorn, Kay Jay’s Doll Shoppe, Making Waves, Manco & Manco Pizza, Mia’s Christmas Gallery, OCNJ Entertainment, Playland’s Castaway Cove, Rock Star, Shirt Shack, Stainton’s Gallery and Surf Mall.
Local food trucks from Las Olas Taqueria, Jay’s Crab Shack, Philly Jawns and Ocean City Coffee Company were serving up their finest dishes.
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff