The OG beach will stay busy during the “shoulder months.” Paul Goldfinger photos, Blogfinger.net. Click to enlarge. This photo from August, 2020.

The kids won’t be rushing home to risky environments. Even pre-schools are closed, as are many colleges.   OG seems safe to many. NY plates are multiplying. Blogfinger.net © at the OG beach. August, 2020.

But use care at the beach. CMA staff may be gone after Labor Day. Blogfinger.net ©  Maybe the CMA could put together some extended life guard shifts using college kids who are not returning to campus life. We hear that there will be two extended weekends.

August 23, 2020. Ocean Grove, NJ:

In a fascinating report today, NJ.com tells us that “rental industry leaders say a late-season spike in rentals means September is the new August”

June had been very busy for rentals, and now bookings for September and October indicate that those months will be busy as well.  Many who rented in August are looking to extend into September and beyond.  This is going on up and down the Jersey Shore.

One factor is that “rentals usually trail off at the end of August,” but now many kids can do their schoolwork from the beach.  The article says that most of these newfound renters are from densely populated areas.

According to Corrine Trainor of the Jersey Shore Chamber of Commerce, “The seashore is seen as a breezy refuge along the open ocean, where families can flee the health risks and emotional stresses imposed by the virus.”

She says, “The rental community can barely accommodate the extra bookings. There is not enough inventory for the demand by people who want to get out of the city.”

Another reason is that “families working and schooling remotely are not constrained by having to be physically in the office or the classroom.”

And  home sales have soared along the shore.

In Ocean Grove, the real estate market is hot, and an OG house just sold for $30,000 over asking price.  Other homes have sold within a week of listing. 

 In our North End neighborhood we have been seeing so many new faces—likely renters; or maybe buyers; or maybe second homers who are extending their stays.

And September is the best month to be at the shore, but in the past the locals got their town back, but not this season.

“Trainor says that the Jersey Shore Chamber of Commerce has been asking the governor to reopen business.”

This morning, Sunday August 23, the boardwalk scene has been vibrant in the Grove even though the beach is closed until 12:30 pm. There were many cyclists, but that should cease by 10 am. 

Masks are an endangered species.  That is risky business, but there is no enforcement.

The Main Avenue business district has a mixed situation.  Some businesses never opened this season including the Ocean Grove Trading Company, Gingerbreads and Nagels (for the second season.) 

But there are two new businesses:  a dog groomer is on Main Avenue, and a barber shop will open soon.   One businessman in town noted that these latter two businesses would appeal to Grovers rather than tourists, and he  (and Blogfinger) view that as a positive trend.

Along similar lines, the OG Church had their bazaar yesterday inside, and it was said to be successful.  In fact they will open next weekend with bargains at large discounts  (At St.Paul’s Church. calling itself “OG  Church” now.)

Editor’s note:  There currently is a bicycle shortage at shore dealers due to increased demand and reduced supply.  If you have your heart set on a particular bike, you might be disappointed.  I just placed an order at The Peddlers in Long Branch, but I will wait until October or November.

Blogfinger will keep an eye on how our lives in the Grove will be affected by all this.   If you have stories to tell, send us an email to Blogfinger@verizon.net.   Anonymous or with your real name.