OCEAN CITY — Ocean View resident Andrea Carew was out shopping in her PJs early Saturday morning with daughters Evelyn, Molly, Madeleine and Grace.
(“I have the smallest name,” Grace said. “Maddy is the biggest, Evie is the medium, I am the other medium and Molly is the smallest,” she explained. “I gave Molly my drink because she accidentally dropped her hot chocolate.”)
While it was a little cold for pajamas in Ocean City, it was sunny and the weather wasn’t going to keep this family away from the annual Earlier than the Bird downtown shopping extravaganza.
“It’s a tradition; we do it every year,” Carew said. “We all get dressed up in buffalo plaid, we stop and get hot chocolate or a drink and head on down. Then we shop and walk back up. We love it.”
The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce and downtown merchants between Sixth and 14th streets on Asbury Avenue host the event every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, providing shoppers discounts, gift certificates, prizes and specials along with free snacks and drinks at local eateries.
Also up early was Karen Jennings, owner of Birds Eye View, who said she didn’t have time to get ready before opening her booth at Stainton’s: A Gallery of Shops. She was selling women’s clothing, accessories and bird carvings wearing a robe and sleeping cap and had yet to remove her moisturizing mask.
“I just got up late,” she said, laughing. “I had to rush in and I didn’t want to miss any big sales.”
Getting into the spirit of the day were Roseanne Welty (Cindy Loo Who) and Michael Welty (the Grinch) with Logan Flanigan, Nathan Flanigan and TJ McLaughlin.
Rocking matching pink Grinch outfits at Stainton’s were sisters Tia Riendeau and Rachel Riendeau with their mom, Teresa Riendeau, of Blue Anchor, and Teresa’s sister, Nicole Caputo of Haddonfied.
Caputo said the matching outfits were a group effort but gave credit to sister Teresa Riendeau.
The group has been attending the event for three or four years.
Morgan Arrington, 34, of Northfield, said she was doing some shopping at The Asbury while waiting for her shift to start at White Lotus down the street.
“Just out for a nice stroll, seeing what’s out here and seeing if I can help out small businesses in any way,” she said.
Owner Brad Jacobson was behind the counter wearing his “Naughty” hat.
Across the street, Bridget Jacobson (Brad’s wife, wearing a “Nice” hat), who owns Stainton’s and other businesses, couldn’t hide her excitement.
“We look forward to this every year, having the music on; it’s the kickoff of the holiday season in Ocean City,” she said.
The Jacobsons decorate the common areas of the gallery and the vendors do their own thing at their individual spots, creating a winter wonderland.
“Today’s the biggest shopping day of the year in Ocean City,” Bridget said. “So much fun, family-oriented. It’s just a great day for family and friends to get together and come out shopping in your PJs.”
Regina Purcell of Ocean City, whose son is a manager at Stainton’s, said she is an avid shopper there.
“I have certain people that I know I’ll find something for here because they have something for everybody,” Purcell said.
It was her first year at the annual event.
“I saw it last year. I was driving and I saw these people in their pajamas and I didn’t understand it and then somebody told me about it and I decided to come this year,” she said, noting her sister wouldn’t brave the cold and stayed home.
Outside, Mike and Liz Wilson of Moorestown were visiting friend Ron Monokian, owner of We Make it Personal on the avenue, with their daughter and grandchildren.
“I carry stuff for my wife; that’s the only reason I’m here,” Wilson said.
Monokian said he likes the event because it’s a good day for sales.
“After the block parties, this is one of our better days,” Monokian said.
They were among the few men out shopping.
Another was Rich Kolka, who tried to get out of a long shopping day by tearing his Achilles’ tendon, but wife Laurie Kolka wasn’t having it. He was out a scooter while one of his sons carried his crutches, in case he needed to squeeze into tight spots.
Laurie’s mother Judy Miller and teen sons Casey and Ryan were among the group, all dressed in matching pajama pants and brown sweatshirts with reindeer antlers attached.
“I love the small-town main street. We love kicking off the holidays, and any time you get to do something like this with your kids in matching outfits and they do it, I’m going to take advantage of it.”
Inside B&B Department Store ho-ho-hoing it up in matching outfits were Jerry Schneider, Cheryl Schneider, Kevin Gaul, Tammy Gaul and Howard Gaul of Oreland, Pa., and Ocean City.
It was Tammy’s birthday. Asked if she planned to be shopping downtown on her birthday, she replied, “Absolutely. We do it every year and love it. This is our third year together doing this.”
She credited Cheryl as the inspiration for the outfits and hinted it was a good day to shop for both birthday and Christmas presents.
More holiday fun
in Ocean City
The downtown will be celebrating “Festive Fridays” again this year. The fun will start Nov. 29 with Ocean City’s traditional Christmas in the Downtown — “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue.” The Black Friday event includes shopping, horse-and-carriage rides, street entertainment and carolers.
The event will culminate around 5 p.m. when Santa Claus will emerge on the rooftop of City Hall. With the help of an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck, Santa will descend and help light the Christmas tree and illuminate City Hall.
Festive Fridays will continue on Dec. 6 with the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from Sixth to 11th streets. Festive Fridays will then continue on Dec. 13 and 20 with shopping, carolers and free horse-and-carriage rides from 4 to 7 p.m.
Registration is now open for the annual Ocean City Holiday House Decorating Contest. The contest awards prizes based on creativity, special effects, lighting, theme and overall appearance. A list of all contest participants will be posted, so everybody can enjoy the holiday displays. Visit ocnj.us/holidayhouse for more information and to register.
Registration is also open for the Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Anybody who would like to enter a walking unit, float, musical act, car or dance/cheer team can register by Nov. 29 at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
STORY by CRAIG D. SCHENCK and DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff