Jersey Shore Businesses Ask 'Where Are The Workers' As Summer Approaches
By Cleve Bryan
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (CBS) -- There were a lot of people on the Atlantic City boardwalk on Wednesday, enjoying the summer-like weather. The business in the area are happy to get the summer rolling in more ways than one.
Soaking up the sun, next to his wife of 48 years, Joe Williams' body language said all you need to know about this weather.
"This is a godsend," Williams said.
"We all said that, that we were going to go from spring, rainy weather, 50's and wake up one day and it's going to be 90 and it happened," his wife Terry added.
On the beach, some happily broke out their bathing suits for the first time this year.
Shore businesses, gearing up for Memorial Day weekend, are thanking the forecast with every transaction. "It's an absolute gorgeous day and gorgeous weather is on the way finally," said Kristina McErlain of the Cherry On Top Ice Cream Shop. "It's going to be a great start to summer."
It's not just customers that shore businesses are hoping to attract going forward. Some are also looking for employees.
Abid Qayyum explained that he has not had a lot of people coming to the One Stop Shop in search of a job and that he's surprised. "The last few years, there were a lot of people coming and looking for a job."
Throughout the Jersey Shore, there are reports of below-average activity from job-seekers. Some blame the soggy spring. Another possible explanation is the better overall economy with not as many people needing seasonal jobs to get by.
"They want full-time work," said McErlain. Despite some challenges, the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce said that a labor shortage does not appear to be a problem so early in the season.
"Maybe when they see nice weather, a lot of people around, then they come for the job," Qayyum said.
