Had a couple days off this week from work, and decided one morning to check out what the boardwalk in Asbury Park was looking like. I went early in the morning and was pleasantly surprised at how it looked. The boardwalk had a few new shops and the arcade within the Convention Hall was now occupied by an Irish pub, a beach bar, and several stores. Sadly none were opened, due to the time and probably because it was Monday.
The old Howard Johnsons was now a cafe' with a nightclub upstairs.
It was a promising sight. When I first moved to New Jersey we would go to Asbury on occasion. The Palace was open and I went into the fun house several times. The boardwalk still had a roller coaster and several other rides. I probably never even noticed a club called the Stone Pony across the street, or Mrs. Jay's, which was right next to the Pony.
It took some time, but eventually everything along the board walk pretty much closed, except the Howard Johnson's, which was open erratically. You could always buy a beer whenever there was a concert at Convention Hall or the Paramount Theatre. If you were unlucky you might get a hefty fine for taking a few steps onto the boardwalk with a beer in hand. The police were no idiots. They knew they could make a few extra dollars for the town. Always good to know the streets are safe.
The Pony has remained open, despite closing briefly and having numerous "Last New Years Eve" concerts.
It was nice to see some life come back to the town. Who knows how long it will take or how much will actually get done. It won't happen overnight, but it can happen. It's a seaside town with a rich history.
I just hope it keeps the feel it had. The old buildings, the unique architecture. If you want pretty, but cookie cutter seaside towns,go to Long Branch. The boardwalk is great, but has no character. But I guess character doesn't bring in tourists.
Let's hope Asbury Park doesn't wind up like Atlantic City, or Long Branch for that matter.
To quote the song Atlantic City: Everything dies baby, that's a fact. But maybe everything that dies, someday comes back.
The old Howard Johnsons was now a cafe' with a nightclub upstairs.
It was a promising sight. When I first moved to New Jersey we would go to Asbury on occasion. The Palace was open and I went into the fun house several times. The boardwalk still had a roller coaster and several other rides. I probably never even noticed a club called the Stone Pony across the street, or Mrs. Jay's, which was right next to the Pony.
It took some time, but eventually everything along the board walk pretty much closed, except the Howard Johnson's, which was open erratically. You could always buy a beer whenever there was a concert at Convention Hall or the Paramount Theatre. If you were unlucky you might get a hefty fine for taking a few steps onto the boardwalk with a beer in hand. The police were no idiots. They knew they could make a few extra dollars for the town. Always good to know the streets are safe.
The Pony has remained open, despite closing briefly and having numerous "Last New Years Eve" concerts.
It was nice to see some life come back to the town. Who knows how long it will take or how much will actually get done. It won't happen overnight, but it can happen. It's a seaside town with a rich history.
I just hope it keeps the feel it had. The old buildings, the unique architecture. If you want pretty, but cookie cutter seaside towns,go to Long Branch. The boardwalk is great, but has no character. But I guess character doesn't bring in tourists.
Let's hope Asbury Park doesn't wind up like Atlantic City, or Long Branch for that matter.
To quote the song Atlantic City: Everything dies baby, that's a fact. But maybe everything that dies, someday comes back.
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