Businesses brace for 4th of July crowds as families flock to the Jersey Shore
OCEAN CITY, N.J. (CBS) -- The crowds down the Jersey Shore are only going to get bigger ahead of Fourth of July. Many people are getting a jump start on the holiday later this week.
Manco & Manco Pizza had a line out of the door, and Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge was packed in Ocean City, New Jersey, Monday night.
"We are well-staffed right now and we have every register open on Fourth of July," said Aidan Yargar, who works at Shriver's.
Yargar said while they are crowded every day, they are ready for the holiday rush.
Crowds were on the boardwalk Monday night as the sun set over the ocean.
"There is like 14 of us and we are just enjoying the beach, enjoying the boardwalk, and we go out to dinner and just have a great time," said Glenn Reed, who lives in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.
Many families said they are in Ocean City for the week, and it's just the start of the fun for them, especially with the Fourth of July approaching.
"We are going to sit on my top deck, and we are going to watch the fireworks," Joe Canale said.
As the holiday quickly approaches, families are enjoying the time spent together and making memories.
"We are going to be by the beach for the morning, build sandcastles, go back and have a barbecue and eat hamburgers and hot dogs," said Dylan Mattioli, who lives in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
Wildwood boardwalk businesses ready for holiday weekend
The Fourth of July holiday is a make-or-break time for businesses down the shore.
On the Wildwood boardwalk, business owners, managers and the like share in the excitement of what the holiday brings.
"We're just ready, ya know? We're psyched," Dana Gehring, co-owner of Mariner's Arcade, said.
Nick Deritis, of Kohr Brothers added: "We love the Fourth of July. It brings so many people into the town."
Thousands are already calling the Wildwoods home Wednesday, and the actual holiday is still hours away.
"We had some bad weather and we are so happy that this summer has finally come," Michelle Rutkowski, owner of Five Mile Marketplace, said.
From sunglasses to hats and even a stuffed tram car, she is ready for what's to come.
"Despite, ya know, what you hear you gotta come check it out. You gotta come see it for yourself," Rutkowski said.
Next door, the team at Kohr Brothers says it is too. They're already working overtime cranking out soft serve.
"Lot of prep work for big weekends like this," Deritis said.
Across the way, family-owned Mariner's Arcade said it makes most of its money starting this weekend through September.
"This is pretty much the start of the summer season. It's basically a daily grind now from now until Labor Day," Gehring said.