Mixed summer for businesses on Jersey Shore

After working so hard to rebound after Superstorm Sandy, how did the tourist season go on the Jersey Shore? It depends on where you go.

Jamie Williamson runs a boutique and a beach chair rental business on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. She says it was a tough push to get ready by Memorial Day, but it paid off.

“The summer has been amazing for us we had more tourism than ever, which could have been caused by the storm. I’m not entirely sure,” said Williamson. “The weather’s been on our side for the most part, only a few weekends where it rained at all, and it’s been good.”

Williamson says the storm brought tourists to Asbury Park who have never visited the resort before.

“I’ve had people people from Michigan, Wisconsin, all over who have come down,” she said. “They are asking if they can see storm damage on this boardwalk or other boardwalks. It’s brought a lot of people down. Even though it hurt us at the beginning, it’s helping us now.”

The news isn’t as good when you travel down the parkway.

In Surf City, Carmine DiGiamo talked while giving a client a razor cut at the Surf Barber shop.

“It’s definitely off since the hurricane,” said DiGiamo. “Everybody I talk to, they tell me that they are off. I think it will be better next year, but this year I haven’t heard good things from anybody.”

In Ocean City, Michelle Gillian of the chamber of commerce says her members are hoping for a stronger finish since June was rainy and slow. 

“Weather, weather, weather. It’s like location, location, location that’s so important to the formula,” said Gilliam.  “A little Sandy, a little economy and weather and I think all the stars got together and that’s what slowed the beginning of our summer down, but I think we are catching up.”

Atlantic City is betting on an old favorite: the Miss America Pageant returns next week after an eight-year absence.