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Shoppers at the Emporium on Thursday afternoon in January 2016. Blogfinger photo ©

January 7, 2016.

Paul Goldfinger Editor @Blogfinger

It’s the same thing every year after the holidays. The consumer traffic downtown is slow, and the weather is depressing. The merchants complain to their lawyers and accountants that they can’t survive another off season. But then comes springtime, business picks up, and suddenly the complaints stop.

Currently, there is the superficial impression of extra bleakness. It’s a Thursday morning, and a handful of shoppers are cruising the Avenue. Among the stores that are closed today are Seasons (new management, ) Patricia’s, (retirement),  Surf and Skate shop (vacation), Pizza Shoppe (? new management,) the Daily Bread  (closed ; buyer sought,)  Fusion (fire), and Yvonne’s (fire.)

According to one merchant, the single most important business in terms of attracting shoppers to town is Nagle’s. When they are closed on Tuesday, all the businesses experience reduced activity. People like to visit Nagle’s because of the historic conversion of the original pharmacy. Nagles’ is the place to be and then, let’s go shopping.

There are too few eateries in town. Yvonne’s was burned out, and that building is still just a hole in the ground. Some visitors forget about the Starving Artist because it is off the beaten path.

But there is a true year-round group of businesses that offer fine off-season destinations regardless of the closed shops. Anchoring the group are Favorite Things, Cheese on Main, the Emporium, Gingerbreads, and the Comfort Zone.   Filling out the winter downtown core group are Seagrass Restaurant, Tina’s, the Surf Shop, April Cornell, OG Trading Company, Pet Boutique, the OG Hardware Store, Flower Shop, the OG Bakery, Just Treats (candy,)   and a few others. If we missed any, let us know (blogfinger@verizon.net)

So don’t pronounce Main Avenue dead just because it is the off-season. OG is still a great place for strolling, eating and shopping even if the coterie is somewhat reduced in numbers.  And the shopping is superior to A. Park.

YVES MONTAND   “C’est Si Bon”  (It’s so good)

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Posted in Blogfinger feature article, Blogfinger Presents | Tagged Main Avenue shopping in Ocean Grove | 13 Comments

13 Responses

1. on February 12, 2016 at 10:53 pm Visionary

   What a shame… That Flower shop is the most underused space in town. There is a big open lot in the back that can make lots of revenue for a business owner with vision, but instead there’s garbage everywhere & just an eyesore to the neighborhood with its junky hanging tarps & such. Surprised that neighbors haven’t complained. Hopefully someone will find the desire to express some creativity and put forth the elbow grease – to make it into something – really great. If they don’t have the vision, hopefully then they can just at least make it ‘better’.

   
   
2. on January 27, 2016 at 9:47 pm franhopkins

   Is the Flower Shop going/gone? Someone posted this over on Facebook:: https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/clo/5408871241.html

   
   
3. on January 10, 2016 at 8:09 pm fortiesbeachgirl

   I am sorry to see the Daily Bread go. They sort of replaced the Barbaric Bean, as it was the only take-out place to get a cup of coffee or snack, and their sandwiches were great. I don’t think the Bake Shop has very good quality items. Nagle’s is good. I think that SeaGrass is too expensive to go to on a regular basis. I love the Starving Artist, but they close at 2 or 3. Comfort Zone is my favorite store.

   
   
4. on January 9, 2016 at 12:26 pm Norma Tolliver

   Thanks to those who commented on the Main Avenue Galleria. Our business is open year round offering fine art, jewelry, gifts, custom framing and art classes. We just celebrated 10 Years in the Grove on October 1st.

   We are right next door to the Ocean Grove Bake Shop which is also open all year.

   
   
5. on January 9, 2016 at 11:22 am OhGee

   I love our downtown in the off-season. Fewer tourists, parking is easier, shopping there is stress free. Please patronize them!

   
   
6. on January 9, 2016 at 11:01 am JW

   How about adding the Main Avenue Galleria and art school to the list of Ocean Grove retail. Lots of interesting stuff offered there!

   
   
7. on January 9, 2016 at 6:51 am Blogfinger

   Hi Laura. Sorry for the oversight and sorry for any others we missed. This is why we are a information sharing website. Paul

   
   
8. on January 9, 2016 at 6:50 am Laura

   Just wanted to add my business to the mix of fine businesses that are open even in the ‘off’ season. From Heart to Hearth, right next door to Favorite Things.

   I’m not off the beaten path, I even won 3rd place in the store decorating contest, after The Beach House, which placed 2nd. This holiday season the downtown looked more festive and the weather helped a great deal. If we see no snow, we will have customers! into the winter.

   
   
9. on January 8, 2016 at 5:42 pm Cher Spicoli

   Where”s Kathy’s Beach House—with the best decorated windows in the Grove?

   
   
10. on January 8, 2016 at 1:25 pm Seaview gal

    I love to shop at the Main Street Galleria. They have so many different artists that whenever I need a gift I come down and find something that is unique. In fact I am down here today to buy a gift for a wedding. Norma also has great classes that she runs year round.

    
    
11. on January 8, 2016 at 6:53 am MaryLou

    OMG…how could anyone forget about the Starving Artist? They have the best spinach omelettes around.

    
    
12. on January 7, 2016 at 11:16 pm Blogfinger

    OMG Jennifer. Put on your bifocals—they are all mentioned.

    Paul

    
    
13. on January 7, 2016 at 11:04 pm JenniferPoodle

    OMG! How could you leave out Seagrass??? And Ocean Grove trading? And Ocean Grove pet shop?

    
    

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