By Chris Munzing
Though summer doesn't officially begin until Saturday, in normal years the city would be nearly a month into the beach-going season by now. So far this year, the weather has been a downer for the beach community, not just socially but financially as well. Many businesses are feeling the sting of a nonexistent spring and a dubious summer, and city officials say the beach season has so far been one of the worst ever.
Bob Carroll, longtime superintendent of the Recreation Department, which oversees the sale of beach passes, called this beach season "the worst it's ever been." With the season's weekends almost a complete washout so far, Carroll knows that the money lost will never be made back.
"Any anticipated revenue lost, in any department, is crucial," he said.
The beach generates significant revenue from visitors from Manhattan, who receive a package deal on their train ticket and beach pass, but that number has been practically zero, Carroll said.
The lack of a weekend crowd coming off the trains has also had a profound effect on local stores. "We still don't have the beach crowd we had this time last year," said Starbucks manager Rosa Grajeda. The store sits less than a block from the train station and can usually expect brisk business in nice weather. The spring's constant rain also wiped out Memorial Day business for the store. The annual parade ends just yards away, where crowds usually gather for post-parade ceremonies. Though the march went on, rain kept crowds to a minimum and the ceremonies were moved inside City Hall.
Tilben Photo & Electronics, across the street from the train station, has also seen a decline in its business, according to owner Steven Sedlik. "I've been here 20, 30 years and this is the worst it's ever been," he said.
Lawrence Elovich, president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, has seen the damage this weather has done to businesses firsthand.
"Every concession on the boardwalk has been hurt terribly," Elovich said. "There's no question it's a disaster for our city and for the businesses."
While walking on an empty boardwalk earlier this week, Mike Maxwell of Long Beach, who said he had a background in the liquor industry, agreed with that assessment. "The weather has a definite effect on business. The sun is everything," he said in front of an almost empty Turquoise Food Court. Maxwell also noted the effect the weather has had on local bars and waterfront clubs across the bridge, like Montego Bay and Paddy McGee's in Island Park, severely hindering their ability to conduct business.
Elovich said that the city is losing money because it has to pay its lifeguards even though the beaches have been empty thus far. He is counting on the summer months to recoup the losses the city and its businesses have suffered.
"We can make it up with good weather between now and Labor Day," he said.
City Councilman Leonard Remo, owner of the TKOPS 180 restaurant, has a similarly optimistic viewpoint, and doesn't solely blame the weather for what's been happening. "It's a combination of things," Remo said, citing a slow economy. But Remo wouldn't ignore the weather, saying, "It doesn't bring the people in and it doesn't get people excited."
However, he believes that as the economy slowly recovers and consumer confidence is restored, business will increase. And while seasonal businesses, such as restaurants and bars, have been hurt by the weather, year-round businesses have maintained a steady level of customers, according to Remo.
The councilman noted that in just the past week, more people were on the streets and more business was done than in previous weeks, despite the inclement weather. "Cabin fever," as Remo put it, has taken its toll, and people are forcing themselves to leave their homes.
Unsound Surf Shop in Long Beach is in the fortunate position of winning either way. One store clerk explained that with the stormy weather come the surfers who want to surf the larger-than-normal waves. On the other hand, when it's sunny, everyone wants to be at the beach.
In the meantime, merchants and residents hope there's a light at the end of this puddle-filled tunnel called spring. They hope that the sun will soon break through the clouds, the barrier island will once again become the destination of families and friends from miles around, business will get back to normal and summer will take center stage.
For now, the city is still waiting.
