With Memorial Day weekend just 4 weeks away, local businesses and organizations up and down the shore are prpeparing to re-open their doors after a long, harsh winter burdened by Superstorm Sandy. Some businesses and entities, however, are not as lucky. When the storm initially struck shore towns such as Manasquan and Belmar, two top tourist destinations in Monmouth County, many business owners believed that the structural damage caused by the water surges was too detrimental to salvage their properties. Water loggage as well as the pure destruction of homes and and residential buildings made these business owners even more weary of the upcoming 2013 summer season.
As an employee of a shore livery service, I can say that I am exceptionally pleased to find that nowhere near as many businesses and homes in my market area have been seriously affected by the storm. What at first appeared to be a complete loss of both our customer base and possibly the entire taxi service division itself, is now anticipated to be a very profitable season. With top tourist destinations in my area such as D’Jais and Leggetts, two extremely profitable bars during the summer season, have already opened their doors during fundraising events powered by movements such as “Restore the Shore.” The damage done to residential areas in my immediate customer region has already been reversed by quick reconstruction possible salvage.
The continuity of businesses such as our company and others along the shore are a true testament to the success and will power that drove the Shore’s reconstruction and rehabilitation. As stated, what at first appeared to be far more structural and cultural damage than expected has reversed itself into a highly anticipated upcoming summer season. Of course the success of the Shore’s commercial rehabilitation can only be expressed through end of the year profits but I can safely say that I am impressed by ability of both government and commercial organizations ability to bring back our area.