A Time Unlike Any Other On The Island
If you’re among those who haven’t visited the Jersey Shore since the end of last season, you’re probably wondering, “How has COVID-19 affected Avalon and Stone Harbor?”
To answer your question: Like just about everywhere else. The pandemic associated with COVID-19 has disrupted life on the Seven Mile Beach in many of the same ways that it has in the greater Philadelphia or New York metropolitan areas. And that’s no small task.
Change doesn’t come easily to Avalon or Stone Harbor. After all, we’re talking about two boroughs where life went on, albeit with some minor inconveniences, during World War II – when German U-boats were lurking literally hundreds of yards off the beach. And if the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 disrupted life at the more recently discovered vacation destinations, newspapers of the day failed to report it, even after the World War I ended. Perhaps that’s always been part of the attraction of beach towns – their ability to weather life’s ups and downs and still maintain their positions as the places to get away from life’s ills.
Uncharacteristically, cars began lining streets in both towns the first weekend in March. Although a normal occurrence in June or July, sightings of the first golf carts of spring on the streets was almost two months early. So too were the groups of “street walkers” – the people who for whatever reason find sidewalks obsolete whenever visiting the Shore. Both sure signs that visitors had arrived.
Sadly, many visitors found their “happy place” wasn’t the same, thanks to COVID-19.
The first noticeable sign was when the 7 Mile Business Community Association abruptly canceled the Shop-A-Holics event a day before it was scheduled to begin on March 13. The wildly successful shop, wine and dine event that traditionally draws thousands of bargain hunters over a three-day period was the first casualty of COVID-19 at the Shore. Given all the preparation and planning that goes into the weekend, it was a pretty gutsy last-minute call – but the only responsible move the group could make out of an abundance of concern for their customers, business employees and the town’s residents.
Borough and county offices all closed for the foreseeable future. That included all senior centers, libraries, museums, and indoor and outdoor recreation facilities. Families with small children hoping to give them the gift of fresh salt air were met with locked gates, yellow off-limit tape, and signs explaining the unexpected closures.
Restaurants, bars and nonessential retail establishments that hadn’t already closed on their own soon followed the directive from the State of New Jersey and ceased operations, displacing customers. The number of businesses forced to close was small, relatively speaking – given the time of year. Saying that you could count the number of businesses offering takeout or food delivery in both towns on one hand would not be an exaggeration.
The two resort hotels on the island that are open all year closed their operations while other resorts preparing for spring openings delayed their plans while still accepting reservations for the summer season.
Visitors might also have been surprised when they visited local grocery stores. Boutique-specialty grocers like Avalon Supermarket and Bud’s Market are typically closed until May. Winter residents rely on offshore markets or the Acme Market in Sea Isle City during the winter months. Their traditionally lightly stocked shelves cleared perhaps even faster than those in major metropolitan areas.
Some businesses that fall into the essential category had to resort to limiting the number of customers in their stores at any given time to promote safe social distancing. This included Wawa and Seashore Ace.
Speaking of safe social distancing, there is a bright spot -- the beaches of Avalon and Stone Harbor are the perfect places for practicing safe social distancing, and then some. Although not possible in July, there’s lots of room to exercise and breath in that fresh salt air in March – with more than enough space to keep distance from others.
Officials have also expressed concerns over the limitations placed on the healthcare system should the pandemic cause a larger than normal burden on the county’s only hospital.
All reasons perhaps that Gov. Phil Murphy strongly recommended that second homeowners refrain from relocating to the Shore for the duration of the emergency. There’s no doubt that tourism is the lifeblood of the Jersey Shore. And second homeowners carry much of the tax burden in each seashore town. That said, the reality is that the household supply and medical infrastructure in Cape May County during the winter months is not strong enough to support an unexpected significant increase in population. Doing so can cause an even greater risk for everyone.
Even churches on the island have been affected. Although it’s impossible to verify, it’s doubtful that there’s ever been a period of three to four weeks when there were no worship services on the Seven Mile Beach – at least since Avalon’s United Methodist Church first opened its doors more than 120 years ago. That’s through two world wars, hurricanes, blizzards – ever! That is, until March 2020. Several of the year-round congregations have moved their weekly in-person services to a more abbreviated and more healthy online service. A great comfort to many, especially those who may be home-bound.
Like everyone, we too are waiting and praying for this all to come to an end. And there’s a great sense of confidence that once it does, the Seven Mile Beach will do as it always has done: We’ll rebound, reenergize and be ready to provide the places that have provided a lifetime of treasured memories to millions of families for more than 100 years. So, let your mind drift for just a moment. Close your eyes. Can you feel that warm breeze … the smell of salt air that you notice as soon as you begin to head into town … and the call of the laughing gulls? It’s not that far off. And we can’t wait to welcome you back.