Summer sizzles in South Jersey...

August 2007

The initial reports are in from the first half of the summer, and they are very good according to an informal poll conducted by The Insider. Normally, when you ask merchants about the summer they moan for this or that reason, but that hasn't been the case this summer.

Some of the most spectacular weather in recent memory, coupled with high gas prices that may have kept many people close to home, have combined to form the perfect recipe for Jersey Shore success.

One barometer you can use is to look at public parking facilities. The public parking facility in Ocean City at Sixth Street has been full almost every weekend in July. Another barometer for Ocean City are the lines every day for doughnuts at Brown's on the Boardwalk by First Street. There are people lined up every day. There has been some speculation that the construction on the Ninth Street Bridge has hurt Ocean City, but the traffic nightmares that were predicted in the spring have never really materialized.

The Insider is predicting a record summer when it will come time to write the story after Labor Day. But only if the great weather holds up. And that great weather appeared to be holding up through the first week of August.

August used to be the money month at the Jersey Shore, with the better weather and warmer water, but that has changed recently with the early exit for college by many students, which has changed the dynamics of the Jersey Shore completely. You will begin to see a difference by August 15th in the amount of people. The early college exit also affects businesses, and leaves them short staffed over the last two weeks of August.

Nevertheless, this is the summer to be in business on the Boardwalk anywhere. And don't let anybody tell you anything different.

Showboat takes over HOB...

The much-rumored takeover has finally transpired as Showboat has now officially taken over the House of Blues. This unlikely marriage will be interesting to watch as the two entities are from opposite sides of the business spectrum.

Showboat's ancient slot crowd seems aged while the HOB's is young and hip. So does this mean that Tony and Tina's wedding will take over the concert at HOB? And many Foundation Room members are concerned that the takeover will affect one of the hottest private clubs in the city, turning it into a high rollers club. Some of the acts which are booked into the HOB will certainly change. The HOB certainly was bold in its approach in booking cutting- edge entertainment, from heavy metal to rap to comedy. Whether that continues will be another story. And what will become of HOB honcho Michael Grozier?

One change that is certain to occur is that all of the HOB servers and cooks will now join Local 54. In fact, that issue of outside contracting in the HOB was a key issue in the strike of Local 54 several years ago. The HOB and the Foundation Room certainly seemed to be a much better fit for Borgata than Showboat, so stay tuned on this one.

Showboat and HOB may be the most odd couple in Atlantic City since Steve Wynn and Donald Trump.

The Pool is Cool...

Meanwhile, in Atlantic City, the Pool at Harrah's continues to be red hot. But it may be too hot for Harrah's Entertainment tastes. A recent Industry Night had to be cancelled after it got too wild on the Fourth of July. This will also be interesting to watch as the pool phenom takes place in Atlantic City. In Las Vegas now, pool parties are all the rage, and feature wild scenes every weekend. Harrah's is using the pool cool to its advantage, but does not want it to become an orgy.

Still, the Pool at Harrah's is unique and exciting, and has shaken up the ever-changing nightlife scene in Atlantic City. Right now The Pool at Harrah's is the new hot spot in Atlantic City with its lush backdrop and different setting.

But how well it walks the fine line between sexy and exciting to free for all hard bodies, will be a key for the new night spot.

Gatti still strong draw at Boardwalk Hall...

What does Arturo Gatti do for Atlantic City?

Well, despite what was a career-ending loss at Boardwalk Hall in July to Alfonso Gomez, Gatti once again filled casino coffers. The drop at Bally's Atlantic City on the Saturday night of the fight was a cool $six million.

Now remember that that is just the drop, not what the casino won. But the larger the drop, the better chance the casino has of making money. Gatti was cash cow for the Atlantic City casino industry, and the end of his career will be missed for sure. There is no way Gatti can fight again after the beating he took from Gomez.

Table Games, Pier, boosts Caesars...

Caesars Atlantic City is undergoing a tremendous increase in its table games this summer. While the slot parlors in Pennsylvania have hurt Atlantic City, a resurgence of table games has been one of the by-products of the competition. Caesars Atlantic City has also been helped by The Pier at Caesars which has funneled tremendous crowds into one of the first casinos on the Atlantic City horizon.

Caesars Atlantic City has also wisely marketed The Pier at Caesars. Look for Caesars Atlantic City to be one of the success stories in an otherwise down year for the casino industry in 2007.

The Insider is written by a prominent local business person who chooses to remain anonymous at this time. The opinions and news bites are that of The Insider and do not necessarily reflect the positions or views of this magazine, it's staff, or its publisher.