Vicki and Graham. Handing over the keys. Photo by Paul Goldfinger
By Mary Walton
Two years ago Graham Carter wanted to open a toy store in Ocean Grove. His wife Sandi urged him on. But real estate agents told him properties rarely became available here. He turned to Sandi. “What’s wrong with Asbury Park?”
As it turned out, everything.
Even on a high profile corner like Cookman and Mattison, “The Store by the Shore” suffered. “Not enough people, didn’t get foot traffic, too far from the boardwalk.”
Then, just after Christmas, Vicki LaBella, owner of News & Such and the building that houses it on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, closed her business and announced that the space was for rent. Last Friday, Carter signed a three-year lease. “It was just too good an opportunity to miss,” he told Blogfinger. “Great location, great landlady, what more could you want?”
For Carter, 53, selling toys follows a financial career in his native Britain, where he was the head of an international section of a London stock brokerage. He met his wife, an American, in business, and moved to the United States six years ago because “She did not like England.” As it turned out, he added, “She didn’t like me much either.” The couple separated six months ago.
Meanwhile he had begun to deal in antique toys and Victorian glass over the Internet. A retail business seemed like a natural progression, or at least not an unnatural one.
Carter said he will keep the name “Store by the Shore” and hopes to open in Ocean Grove by March 1 after minor renovations. “A lick of paint here and there. And the floor has to be level. You can’t have an uneven floor. You can’t have people falling over, especially little children.” As in Asbury, he will stock his store with quality toys. “I have this thing about selling cheap plastic crap from Hong Kong. I have three children. I know how frustrating it is when you buy something and it falls apart after two minutes.” He will not sell electronic games or toy guns. But he will include some items to interest grown-ups while the children are playing with merchandise.
While LaBella’s store was for sale, “I had a lot of people look,” she said. “Someone wanted to take the space just to hold onto it. There was a deli, but it wasn’t firm.” Also a barber shop, and a store that wanted to sell imports from France.
But Carter was in the right place at the right time. LaBella believes a toy store will be a “delightful addition” to the retail mix on Main Avenue, and Carter, she said, “is a pleasure to deal with.”
Not all Main Avenue business people are as thrilled as LaBella. Comfort Zone’s Steve Mandeville said he was distressed when he and his partner, Victor Aluise, owner of The Emporium, stopped in the Store by the Shore in Asbury one day and discovered that both his shop and Carter’s carried a line of toys made by a company called Melissa and Doug, and that Carter would also be selling it in Ocean Grove. He and Carter had words. Carter, he said, “didn’t care that we would be selling the same merchandise.” Mandeville added, “If everybody carries the same merchandise, nobody’s going to want to come to town.” What transpired in the conversation is disputed, but Carter characterized the encounter as “not very pleasant.”
Richard Lapore, owner of Smuggler’s Cover, spoke to Carter as well, telling him, he said, that “having been in the retail business 33 years, I do not see the point” of launching such a store, giving that “there are not a lot of kids in Ocean Grove.”
Now that it’s a done deal, Lapore said he wishes Carter well. “A vacant store on Main Avenue, that’s worse than anything.”-
AND: From the operetta “Babes in Toyland” by Victor Herbert, here is Leon Redbone’s version of “Toyland.”
Thanks for the info Ken…that’s a great help.
Anyone who has ever taken an economics 101 class knows that a little competiion is healthy. There is room for everyone. Ocean Grove is a town that caters to tourism, and most people visiing the shops are not ones that are comparative shopping. Neither The Comfort Zone nor The Emporium cater exclusively to a the toy buyer. Smugglers Cove, in my opinion, has a little more kitschy flair to it and a great place to find a unique item or souvenir. It also not a toy store, but rather a store that sells some toys. I find it disturbing and unnecessary that another business in Ocean Grove would take exception to Mr. Carter selling items from the same vendor. I have seen this type of behavior before in other small towns, and it never fares well for the aggressor.
I enjoyed Mr. Carter’s store in Asbury Park and I plan to enjoy it now in OG.
Writing letters can be so frustrating if you are expecting an answer or a resolution. The most effective communication is in person at the monthly Township Committee Meetings (2nd and 4th Mondays at 7:00 PM) .
During PUBLIC COMMENTS at the end, citizens may ask direct questions, If you do not get a satisfactory answer or resolution within a reasonable time…you go back again until you get satisfaction OR a reason why not.
Mad? Heck no…I’m one of those little people. All is well.
“Editor’s note: Thanks MaryLou for the clarification. We’re glad that you’re not mad at the “little people”. Paul @Blogfinger
Editor: Every conversation mentioned was verified by talking to those who were involved. All sides were aired in this article. Paul @Blogfinger
that’s called GOSSIP
this whole post is so silly. coming to ocean grove every summer takes us into every store that we see. don’t care that some carry the same items.
we love smugglers cove and always find something to buy. established businesses deserve the same traffic that new businesses do.
we should just support all in these bad times and buy what we like anyplace we like.
private conversations should not be made public when being heard “secondhand”.
My “being ignored” comment was directed at “Township officials who participate” (see Nancy’s comment before mine). I have actually written letters to certain officials asking for their input on certain matters that I have dealt with concerning my property. I’ve learned that my letter writing is a waste of time. How did this originally start? Oh yea, toys…good luck to the new store owner!
wow..I am not a resident, rather a frequent visitor..so no politics or knowledge of any of these fine folks. I also felt confused why a conversation that may have happened between fellow retailers was reporter vs. making this a hearty “welcome” to the new store owners posting.
I too, thought it brought a negative tone to a normally positive blog and wasn’t sure why perhaps personal comments were shared. No store owner wants competition in a small town but why relay these conversations??
There are enough lines to differentiate someone’s business. Visitors like diversity, especially when we visit a small town like Ocean Grove. I enjoy all of the shops, some have better customer service and I buy from them (the art store…the gift shop with the pirates theme, Nagles!) but this posting just seemed a bit nasty. Just a visitors opinion.
Funny…I’ve asked for input (more than once) and have been ignored.
Sal: I believe mayors, like governors and Presidents, hold their title in perpetuity.
I’m grateful for her input. Apart from Mary Beth, it’s rare that we get a Township official to participate. And I believe that’s an error in judgement on their part.
Sal: Mary Beth is a hero to this town and a straight shooter. While she is a pragmatist, which sometimes is frustrating, she has the best interests of OG at heart 24/7. Please do not over-interpret her metaphors.
I’m confused at to what you are Mary Beth. In reading your opening line it sounds like you are always going to be a former mayor, in or out of office. Either way, your tone is harsh and, for some reason, bitter towards an OG resident that you represent. There is no Main Avenue mafia here and I never said BF couldn’t report on it, I simply said I was surprised that it merited mention. I could not care less but I do care about an offhand comment being built up into a cold war of sorts among the retailers on Main Ave. Main Ave Mafia… what a hoot.
Blogfinger can decide what to report and how to report it as he chooses to. That being said, I find it to be very fair and non-offensive, yet still having an edge. For example my initial response was harsh and so Blogfinger changed it to be less so and more polite.
The very worst thing this blog could be would be for it to be “politically correct”, non controversial, back patting, censoring, white washing mush. Controversy can actually even be fun.
Well put Mary Beth. I would add that I am grateful the dispute was mentioned. I might have just walked past the store when it opened since I don’t often buy toys anymore; now that I’m aware of a bit of history, I will warmly welcome the new business into our neighborhood.
Mary Walton just reported the facts. She reports; we decide.
I’m the former mayor, Sal, because I’m still in office. If I were no longer on the Committee, I would be the former mayor.
And you know, Sal, if you don’t like an article, you’re free to skip it. That’s what most people do when the article doesn’t interest them or you don’t like it.
The fact that THREE Main Avenue retailers tried to coerce, in whatever fashion, another retailer into either not opening or changing the format of their soon-to-be-opened store so as to protect their own businesses is troubling. If there’s some kind of “Main Street Mafia” or organized effort to control what kind of businesses move in on Main, that will be stopped immediately. As long as the new business isn’t a bar, a topless juice bar, or a tattoo parlor, the Township allows any other type of business. The TOWNSHIP. Not neighboring businesses. If a business comes in that may compete with another business, it’s time for the original business to MYOB and work on being the retailer that become the people’s favorite, rather than walking the fine line of illegal coercion, intimidation, and harassment.
Main Avenue should be a fun, magical and charming experience for both residents and visitors. Can we try to keep it that way, please!
Sal says, “..unless there was a physical confrontation, it doesn’t merit mentioning.”
Suppose someone threatened or tried to intimidate Sal during a conversation, a phone call or an email. Although there would be no physical confrontation, I bet Sal would consider it to be a significant event.
Ocean Grove is a small town where small news becomes big news and where rumors need to be investigated before they erupt into a problem. It is also a place where there is a culture of neighborliness.
If someone tries to poison the well of good will among the business people of Main Avenue, then that is news, and it is best if our local blog pays attention to such an important issue and allows a dialogue to ensue.
In this toy store brouhaha, the rumor has already caused consternation among the business community and was beginning to leak out further along the avenue and down the side streets. It’s better to air it out now on Blogfinger and at the Chamber of Commerce.
In the last 10+ years, Main Ave. businesses have been a major reason for the explosive growth in real estate and vacation destination opportunities in Ocean Grove.
Anyone remember OG in the ’70’s? I do. We called it, “Ocean Grave”. Now we call it, “Ocean Groovy!”
All businesses should be welcome on Main Ave. But with that comes a responsibility to keep the integrity a small community needs to survive and thrive. I don’t believe there is ANY animosity in this exchange, Ms. Walton. Just business people trying to run a successful enterprise that benefits all. Everyone should work for the betterment of the community. C’mon, Main Ave. retail is two blocks long!
More and more people come to OG year round, including a LOT of children, Mr. Lapore. Let’s give the toy store a chance to become part of the community.
Hopefully, Mr. Carter will realize the honor as well as the duty of being a store owner/member of said community.
Good luck to ALL!
My job here is done…
Sal, YOU ARE MY HERO!! You are absolutely right… This he said / she said is NOT newsworthy… Really silly stuff here. I am sure all businesses will live in peace.
The tone and tenor of this entire article / comments confounds me. Why in the world did Blogfinger feel the need to include details of a dispute in what should have been a positive article? Probably to create a “buzz” around the post. Then the comments fly in and people start taking sides on where they’ll buy a line of toys. Finally the ex-Mayor chimes in and talks about tossing out exclusivity BS? Unless there was a physical confrontation it didn’t merit mentioning. Because Steve or Richard said something doesn’t make it newsworthy.
Best of luck to ALL retailers, even those “outside the gates”, in this troubling economy. At its core, Main Ave retail is all about personality and inventory. I fully believe Steve would gladly refer business to Graham (and also the other way around) if out of stock because, if he doesn’t, that cash leaves OG forever.
Editor’s note: Hi Jamie. You should also go to the alphabet store and buy some capital letters. just joshing……paul
First, let me say that I love The Comfort Zone and am one of Stephen’s biggest fans, but he sells a limited range of toys for older kids, (Doug and Melissa being for a younger set) but his book selection is PHENOMENAL. I don’t know the owner of Smuggler’s Cove but I have been in there with my kid and the toys are not their major market (or maybe they shouldn’t be…).
I have LIVED in Graham’s store in Asbury upon my visits there for food, sundries and Gelato…and my son LOVES his toys! We are lego-maniacs and the soldiers and horses and all other imaginative play items are phenomenal! No kids in Ocean Grove? Off season, there are 6 within 50 feet of my house. During season, the number goes up to 15, same radius! I look forward to helping my son spend his allowance at another business in our town.
I patronize The Emporium and The Comfort Zone (my favorite stores in the world), love to eat pizza at “Mr. Bill’s”, ice cream at Days (and Nagle’s too!), bank at Central Jersey, grab some cheese and bread from Susan, eat a cupcake or two at Devil’s Food, shop for jewelry at Fusion, get some coffee at Barbaric Bean, buy my winter hoodies and sweatshirts from the Flower Shop, buy the dog an elk antler at the Pet Store and have a little breakfast at Yvonne’s, a little hummus at Sea Grass, well, you get the picture…why go anywhere else?
There is plenty of room for more and the entirety of the store has a variety of product line. This is not competition, it’s complimentary. Plus, a little competition (and I do mean little…) keeps everyone on their toes and stirs up creativity and marketing. If Grovers make a commitment to patronize local business in the off season as much as they patronize other big box stores, our downtown will continue to thrive. You may spend a few dollars more (and I mean only a few!) but your investment will be repaid by the community you continue to build.
we will frequent your toy store! we hope you will carry some British brands as well—the Wow! toys are a current favorite. we make many runs to the toy store in sea girt to get “off the grid” toys. we visited you in AP on occasion and found some cute things there. While Melissa and Doug make great products, they are readily available—-hoping you stock the hard to find goodies so that we can stay local!
My sister and I lived in Mr. Douglas’ son’s former hobby shop at 89 Main, which was converted to an apartment, and across the street from Mr. and Mrs. Douglas, may they rest in peace. At one point, in the early 2000s, my landlord came to me, trying to buy out my two-year lease so Eckerd could take over my apartment for a seasonal pharmacy. I named an outrageous sum, Eckerd started negotiating, and then the Township nixed the zoning change.
The location we now know as Refried Beans was once known as Grandma’s Groceries, until they failed to pay their state taxes and were shut down. And what I believe used to be the original Refried Beans location over by the New Jersey Avenue footbridge was once an optometry office.
As for Melissa and Doug toys, since I worked for Toys R Us HQ, they’re available at Target, Michael’s Crafts, and at several stores in the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, so let’s get the whole “exclusivity” BS out of the way. We used to have a video/DVD rental store in town that also sold the little niceties, like Tylenol, candy, cold soda, batteries, small packs of diapers, used paperbacks, etc. I wonder if someone tried to strong arm them out of business.
Perhaps this situation needs some more investigation by people with a little more authority than those posting here.
Editor’s note: You are both wrong: it’s Cornell. PG
My kids will no doubt frequent this store. Wecome to the Grove!
I am glad we have a new store in town. I also really LOVE the Comfort Zone and The Emporium!! Town would not be the same without them.
But, OhGee, you are mistaken… The store is called April Cornel (not Cornwell). The Emporium carried April Cornel clothes when it first opened. Then The April Cornel company opened its own store across the street from The Emporium! It was competing against its own customer. I see a problem with this and other stores that carry the same thing. Be different! Give us choices. There is a whole big world out there that we can all enjoy.
I’m sorry; I was the one wishing for a fresh market, not “Anonymous.” New computer.
I agree, OhGee. I don’t see a problem.
I’m sorry there was a dispute between store owners. I am a big fan of Steve and Victor’s stores! But I’m not sure I understand their argument. There is an April Cornwell store here in town, yet the Emporium also sells April Cornwell items. In fact they have an AC sign in one of their windows (at least last time I looked). So if the April Cornwell store and the Emporium can sell the same brand and co-exist, Comfort Zone and Store by the Shore should also be able to sell Melissa and Doug merchandise peacefully also.
I’m still wishing for a fresh food market … but the toy store should be fun. No grandkids yet, but plenty of young ones who come to visit with friends and family. It’s fun to have a little surprise waiting for them here.
My best wishes. Can’t wait until it opens.
Hah! I didn’t even know The Emporium sold toys!
Sorry Mary Lou, that was probably my kids.
It was Dave’s Hobby Shop at 89 Main Avenue. He was robbed and beaten up pretty badly. He closed up right after the incident. Dave Douglas still lives in town.
There was a toy store on Main owned by Ben Douglas. His son ran it and was robbed one day and I beleive they beat the son up. This event resulted in the formation of the Ocean Grove Citizens Patrol. Ben and others spearheaded this organization in order to provide an extra set of eyes and ears for the police.
I love toy stores! Kid at heart, I guess. I’m a new homeowner as of 2 weeks ago and my grands will be very excited with the prospects of a toy store in town. All the best to Mr. Carter.
So great to have a toy store that is not a chain. So great that it will not be a battery type store. Hope he carries Lego’s. Of course there are kids in OG, if not, who are all those kids in the camp play? What about my kid? He is 7 and he has visitors and there are kids in Bradley Beach, plenty of kids.
Best of luck.
There used to be a hobby shop on Main Ave. I think it was where Richard Hogan’s law office now is. It was run by David Douglas who is the late Ben Douglas’s son. Ben was founder of OG citizens patrol which he started after David was mugged in his hobby shop. I think this was in the 70’s or 80’s but am not sure exactly.
By the way in Neptune across from the BB train station where there is now piano showroom there was the famous S.S. Adams Novelty Company. Originators & manufacturers of the ‘ joy buzzer ‘ .
A long time Grover told us that there used to be a toy store on Main Avenue in the 80’s block. It closed in the 1980’s.
Not a lot of kids in OG? Who are all those short people that kick sand on me in the summer time?
Wonderful ! Hope he carries yo-yo’s, tops, gyroscopes, kazoos, bird whistles, checkers, retro mechanical toys, and all other types of good olde fashioned toys befitting the local & visiting kids (and adults) of OG. A big welcome and best of luck to Graham Carter.
Too bad that he ran into some unpleasantness. This is America, and exclusivity is unhealthy.
I, er, my kids, will be there every trip down to Ocean Grove!