Nearly Two Years After Sandy, Seaside Heights Receives Much-Needed Facelift
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J.(CBSNewYork) -- One Jersey shore community is getting a much-needed makeover.
The beloved boardwalk in Seaside Heights was wrecked when Superstorm Sandy hit the tri-state area nearly two years ago.
Now, businesses are bouncing back.
"I think it looks fabulous. they made one heck of a recovery from what it used to be," Greg Acre told CBS 2's Scott Rapoport.
The devastation of Superstorm Sandy has now been largely replaced by a refurbished and spruced up Seaside Heights, and business owners say it's no accident.
"You know, a fresh face, a better look. It's got to help," Lucky Leo's owner, Steve Whalen said.
There has been a bright and shiny facelift of sorts for 27 businesses in Seaside, courtesy of the Seaside Heights First Impression Program, which offered free design consultations to businesses and $2000 grants to business owners to make those designs a reality.
"The grant was a very nice thing that they did for us," Blake Ashton said.
The goal is that all of it will help Seaside Heights bounce back from Sandy and thrive.
"We redid the tile work on top. We painted the front. Wanted to beautify it a little bit," St. Tropez owner, Vick Jarkezian explained.
Jarkezian said the help was welcome and needed.
"It helps when people are out there and you know they see a nicer looking store," he said.
The program has eased the eyesore images of damage from the past, and given the town a chance for a new first impression.
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