Long Beach Island 2017 Expected to Dominate This Summer

(Newswire.net — May 9, 2017) Mays Landing, NJ — Since 2012, new businesses have opened on Long Beach Island, old buildings have been upgraded, and annual events have gained momentum continually. All reports and trends are pointing towards a record-breaking summer season in terms of visitors and sales. Expectations are high and attitudes are optimistic as Long Beach Island is set to dominate the local tourism industry this year!

Sandy Made a Mess of LBI

Five years ago, a violent superstorm ripped through the Jersey shore, leaving Long Beach Island in a state of emergency. Hurricane Sandy did serious damage to the towns of Beach Haven and Ship Bottom, which are located directly on the other side of The Causeway Bridge. Long Beach Island’s tourism-dependent beach towns were left in physical and financial tatters.

With a local business scene dominated by independent companies and mom-and-pop shops, LBI was expected to make a slow, painful recovery. At this time, most LBI-based businesses operated just one location, and very few were making money through their websites. Some businesses shut down for good, while others began picking up the pieces to rebuild. The damaging hurricane crushed some businesses, but thankfully it did not close the book on Long Beach Island.

The Power of a Strong Community

Just a few months after, it was clear that LBI’s business owners and government branches were determined to shine in the wake of the storm. Locals worked quickly to organize the recovery effort and mobilize the community. One such person is a photographer named LeAnna Theresa Gerety who later received an award from United Way. She was honored by the New Jersey Governor’s office, and she was even recognized by the White House for the role she served in leading LBI’s recovery. 

A number of others offshore joined with the people of LBI to assist in the effort. Through the power of a strong community and lots of hardworking hands, Long Beach Island was able to bounce back with a vengeance. By the summer of 2013, it was business as usual on Long Beach Island. By 2015, the island was almost fully restored. As of this year, the business scene has expanded, properties have been upgraded, and locals are prepared to experience what may be the best summer season of LBI history.

Renovations, Reopenings, New Launches

 The beaches took a beating after the hurricane. A whopping $138 million beach replenishment project was launched two years ago to reinforce the water’s edge and beautify the beaches. Virtually all oceanfront hotels on Long Beach Island were flooded or destroyed. Spray Beach Hotel and Sea Shell Resort & Beach Club quickly got busy with rebuilding, and took the opportunity for upgrading their rooms and building out new additions. Both hotels are bigger and better than ever, this year.

 Long Beach Island’s grand theatre in Beach Haven was also left in bad shape. Surflight Theatre and the adjoined Show Place Ice Cream Parlor have been shut down ever since the hurricane; but good news hit the papers last winter. A new owner, Broadway producer Al Parinello, has spearheaded the project of renovating and reopening Surflight Theatre. There is a full line up of performances hitting the summer stage in 2017!

Another exciting move for small business on Long Beach Island is the Ship Bottom Brewery. This newly launched business has deep roots on LBI, and many brews are named specifically for landmarks on the island. A nostalgic old structure known as “the shack,” the Barnegat Lighthouse, and the wooden jetties serve as sources of inspiration for Ship Bottom Brewery’s line of craft beers. Ship Bottom Brewery has set up their new shop in Bay Village shopping plaza in Beach Haven.

Free Download: Vacation Guide to Long Beach Island 2017

There are many things in the works to bring even more attention to Long Beach Island in 2017. Besides all of the upgrades and new openings on the island, there are some big events coming up like the Hop Sauce Festival and Lighthouse Int’l Film Festival in June, Independence Day celebrations in July, and Chowderfest and the LBI Fly Kite Festival scheduled for the end of summer.

A relatively new online resource called BestofLBI.buzz is an excellent place to find detailed info for Long Beach Island’s current and upcoming events. Their team puts together helpful articles and guides, offers special discounts and coupons for local businesses, and updates the website every few days. There’s an option to subscribe to receive all new posts by email, which is a convenient way to keep updated on LBI.

BestofLBI.buzz recently published the Vacation Guide to Long Beach Island 2017. This free download provides helpful information, insider tips, and printable coupons. It’s a valuable resource for first-time visitors or returning summer guests. Even year-round residents can take advantage of this vacation guide for the coupons, and to find out what’s happening this summer. Get ready for the season, because Long Beach Island 2017 is set to be a record breaker for tourists and businesses!