WILDWOOD, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The moment Jersey Shore towns have been anxiously awaiting for is here. Memorial Day weekend is upon us, meaning massive crowds will be flocking to the beach regularly for at least the next three months.
That’s good news for Shore businesses looking to rebound after the summer of COVID-19 cost many of them money.
"The general consensus, the rule of thumb, was that most of the businesses lost on average about 40%," Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron said. "That’s a lot."
These are the businesses in his town, mostly the ones on the boardwalk. They tend to close sooner than the offshore ones, many of which Byron said stay open year round.
He believes no more restrictions will make all the difference.
"Everything is going to be open," Byron said.
"You’re going to be able to go into all the establishments you couldn’t go in last summer. The only issue’s going to be you may have a little longer wait because of the lack of help. You just have to have a little patience, but I guarantee when you come here, you’re going to leave here with a smile on your face."
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He is more than optimistic about what the summer of 2021 has in store after a "watered down" 2020 season.
"The COVID-19 numbers are down, and the vaccine numbers are up," said Byron.
"I mean, that’s what you want to see, that’s what all the governors want to see and that’s what all the towns want to see, so I think people at this point are ready. They’re coming. They’re coming to the Shore this summer for sure.”
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He assured anyone planning to visit Wildwood that restaurants, amusement parks and motels will continue sanitizing regularly and keeping health and safety as the top priority. But he understands not everyone is ready to be at a packed Jersey Shore just yet.
"If you’re not comfortable being in crowds, don’t put yourself in that position," he added. "But you still have to respect your neighbor."
Byron said rental numbers have also been "off the charts" leading up this point. Many of the larger events that were canceled last summer, he said, will be back.