OCEAN CITY — Saturday morning was surprisingly chilly in downtown Ocean City, but everyone looked mostly toasty in their pajamas as they walked around during Earlier Than the Bird for the annual shopping extravaganza.
Although the temperatures were low, the spirits were high as shoppers got a kick out of strolling Asbury Avenue, many with free coffee in hand and wearing colorful adult-sized onesies.
Liz Wilson was looking positively pixie-like in her outfit.
“It’s just fun,” she said of dressing up (down?) for the event. “I have fun with it. We do it every year. We don’t usually buy too much but we enjoy the spirit of the season,” she said.
Husband Mike, also adorned appropriately, didn’t seem quite as excited.
“It’s awesome,” he deadpanned, “getting up early for no reason.”
The Moorestown couple, who own a home on the island, were with friends Melissa and Edward Henry, who also have a second home in the city.
“I just love browsing, to get a feel for what’s going on and seeing the new shops and the old shops to see what they have. It’s just lots of fun. We usually find something,” Melissa Wilson said. “I’m happy for the snap of cold. It finally feels like winter and I’m ready for the season.”
Husband Edward was clear on why he came: “The free coffee!”
Judi Saltiel and Melissa Chapman, both from Staten Island, N.Y., were walking a dog — and Saltiel was carrying a large cup of iced tea.
“I like how quaint it is. There are so many personalized items. It’s not like going to the mall where you get all the same things,” Saltiel said of shopping in the resort. Although she said she was freezing, she was holding a large cup of iced tea while Chapman had a cup of coffee —free at the Ocean City Coffee Co.
“I actually haven’t really been here during the winter. I think it’s the most beautiful place,” Chapman said. “It’s peaceful and I love that there are so many mom and pop shops. Supporting local businesses is such an important thing. We need to do more of it. And I love seeing so many small businesses. It’s incredible.
“I think we should always support small businesses. They are the backbone of America,” Chapman added. “When we came here we didn’t know all of the shops would be open. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to come back and go shopping. I’m already scoping out which places I want to go to.”
Linda Brown, Deborah McDonaugh, Sandy Brower and Kiersten Geist were all festively dressed for their annual “girls trip” to Ocean City.
“We live in Pennsylvania and we meet down here. A friend has a house down here in Linwood and we come to every Earlier Than the Bird,” said Brown, of Downingtown. “Downtown Brown,” her friends laughed, as the retired educator showed off the spirited message imprinted on her behind (on the PJs). “It’s a social and fun trip,” they agreed.
“We’re usually more creative and make costumes like snowmen and elves, but this year we had a child sick so she’s missing and we have another one who’s missing so we’re a little smaller this year,” said McDonaugh, of Coatesville, Pa.
“I just love all the little shops and the variety of items that they sell,” Brower, of Pottstown, Pa., said. “My favorite is The Cat’s Meow and how the money goes back to the cats. It’s one of my favorite places to go.”
“I just want you to know these two (Geist and Brower) are guidance counselors and this is guaranteed therapy for us,” McDonaugh said, drawing more laughs from her friends. “And we’re retired educators,” she said of herself and Brown.
“We came specifically for this,” Kristen Bak of Ocean City said about Earlier Than the Bird. “The Christmas decorations are just beautiful. Her daughter, Leeann Bak, came down from Long Branch. “It’s the perfect time for a visit,” Leann said.
“Shopping local is important,” added Yvette Shaber of Somers Point. She likes crossing the bridge to shop in Ocean City “especially when I get to see these folks,” she said as she pointed to Bak and her daughter.
“I like shopping in all the unique shops in the downtown area. It’s different than going shopping on a normal basis,” Leeann Bak said.
None of the trio minded the cold.
“We have our pajamas on. We’re warm,” Shaber said. “We only do it once a year, so I enjoy it.”
Shaber is related to the mother-daughter duo, she pointed out. Looking at Krisen, Shaber said, “My daughter is married to her son. We have a Jewish word for it — machatenista, and that means family. There is no word for it in English — your daughter’s mother-in-law.”
Kim Smith of Cape May and Sue Beetle of Villas in Lower Township hauled out their pajamas specifically for Earlier Than the Bird.
“It’s very comfortable. I feel very warm and cozy,” Smith said. “I grew up every summers here, so it’s fun to come back.
She has only one PJ outfit for shopping “and I hold it out just for this.”
“It’s comfortable and it’s fun,” Beetle added. “This is a once-a-year shopping thing.”
Their favorite stores include B&B and Stainton’s. “We like to shop all the little stores in there,” they agreed.
“It’s tradition. We come every year. This is our sixth year doing this,” Sarah Acampora, of Somers Point, said as she held her daughter, Teresa, 2½, who was wearing a beautiful red cape.
“We get our Christmas shopping done nice and early,” friend Danielle Faulkner of Ocean City said. Interviewed in front of City Hall, she noted she traveled all the way … from diagonally across the street. “I just walked downstairs,” she said, laughing.
They both said Collette’s is one of their favorite stores.
“Target,” Faulkner’s son, Charlie, weighed in after hearing the question about favorite stores. Prompted by his mom about favorite local stores, he was just as quick: “JiLLy’s!”
They just got some Squishmellows there, he said, opening a shopping bag to show off the little plush toys.
They, too, agreed on why they love to be in Ocean City and not just for the November event:
“It’s a nice family environmental. Everyone is happy. The entertainers are cool. Everyone is happy and friendly. It’s the same in the summer. It’s more of a crowd but it’s still a family environment. Lots to offer for your family.”
Four “big Grinch fans from way back” from Haddonfield and Blue Anchor were at the corner of Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue, trying to decide where to go next. The family members all had pajamas well adorned with the grumpy but beloved Christmas cartoon character. Two of them had Grinch headpieces and the other two wore colorful antlers.
Asked about the joy of shopping in pajamas and antlers, Nicole Caputo responded, “It’s fabulous.”
“It gives you that extra edge,” her sister, Teresa Riendeau, added. “This is our second year coming (to Earlier Than the Bird) but we’re down here all the time. Every event we make it.”
Her daughters Rachel and Tia were the ones with the Grinch headpieces.
Asked about their favorite stores, they listed Tah-Dah, Mia’s, JiLLy’s, Stainton’s and Hoy’s. They miss Wards Pastry, which closed in October.
“That’s where we used to get our Christmas cookies,” Caputo said.
“I couldn’t get my cinnamon stars. I guess I’ll have to make them,” Teresa said. Her daughters noted their mom is a good baker.
Joan Vicari, retired Ocean City High School librarian, was wearing a bathrobe, pajamas and big blue slippers in the shape of cruise ships. She had a sign pinned to her lapel attesting to her love of the resort.
“Well, from coast to coast I love Ocean City, New Jersey, the most,” Vicari said. “Our daughter is out in the San Francisco area and my pajamas have the San Francisco Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge and all sorts of travel icons. I decided this was what I felt today.”
She won the big blue slippers years ago while on a cruise.
Vicari said she never wore the pajamas to school “but I love shopping in them here because it creates a festive spirit for the holidays.”
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
