📈 Shore town scorecard | Down the Shore

Long Beach Island: Are Philly people still even represented on Long Beach Island? This congested narrow strand of sand found itself at the center of a flag controversy, courtesy of the wife of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. Martha-Ann Alito flew the controversial Appeal to Heaven flag outside their home in High Bar Harbor, a section of LBI previously most famous for being in the path of a ferocious tornado. In better LBI news, Mustache Bill’s is still open in Barnegat Light, and the Holiday Snack Bar settled differences with Beach Haven. As of this writing, no Taylor Swift sightings. B+

Brigantine: As usual, Brigantine flies (and by flies, I also mean green heads) under the radar, getting just a little bit vibier every year. Like the rest of the Shore, prices were rising, and renters were rebelling. Its popular Cove beach had access restricted this summer due to erosion, and due to the discovery of a demolished structure that had been dumped in the water and is now sending concrete chunks onto the sand. B

Atlantic City: A.C.’s summer was marred by the canceled air show and lack of beach concerts. Next-gen places like Remedee Coffee and Good Dog Bar shut their doors. Revenue from A.C. casinos was down. Atlantic Avenue is still in need of paving. NJ Transit jacked up the cost of a bus ride to come in from New York. But yet, there is as ever sublime and ridiculous fun to be had on Atlantic City’s wide and free beaches, its free Boardwalk concerts, Shirley MacLaine movie sets, and all the great restaurants and bars. This summer, some new places opened up like chef Wenford Simpson’s ambitious Simpson’s, a Jamaican restaurant in the old Pier across from Caesar’s; the instant classic Angeloni’s Club Madrid with its olive oil-laced vodka tomato martinis and housemade pastas; and the Brewberry coffee shop and creperie. B

Ventnor: More and more like Margate every day. But the town is finding a vibe. A-

Margate: Oh Margate, you really took a Kylie Kelce hit that was worse than anything Jason ever did in front of a quarterback. Who will ever forget the Longport woman who told Kylie she’d never be allowed in Margate again after the Kelces declined a photograph. Oof. Memories reopened, but neighbors complained of a rash of late-night public urination. At least Lucy the Elephant finished strong, with a $500,000 check from Cory Booker for interior refurbishing. C+

Longport: No notes. A

Ocean City: Where to begin, dear Ocean City. There were the crowds of rowdy, brawling teens over Memorial Day weekend, and the announced end of the beloved, city-defining Wonderland Pier in August. Even the seagulls made a comeback, apparently no longer afraid of the hawks. C-

Strathmere: Always a (no beach tag) gem. A

Sea Isle City: This crowded Shore town is blessed again and again by the presence of the Kelces. Does it get any better? A-

Avalon: Continuing a proud tradition, Avalon Beach Patrol chief Matt Wolf, a sunnier version of his legendary no-nonsense dad, retired chief Murray Wolf, steered his guards to wins in the Kerr, Women’s, and South Jersey championships. A

Stone Harbor: People are still complaining about having to use an app for parking, while prices have sent people to the mainland, where they insist “Stone Harbor Lakes” is the Shore. But whale and shark sightings! B

North Wildwood: This town made peace with the state, at least for now, and got a much-needed infusion of sand. A

Wildwood: Prices are rising in this once-affordable Shore town, which had a chaotic clear-the-boardwalk declaration of civil unrest Memorial Day weekend, but soon settled in to more typical drama over whether the T-shirt shops are too vulgar. B+

Wildwood Crest: A late-summer drama with the Middle Thorofare Bridge becoming stuck was quickly fixed! A-

Cape May: The demure beach town that could be anywhere but still is in New Jersey. And will soon be in the movies. A

I predicted that the Shore’s free beaches (A.C., Wildwood, Strathmere) will get busy as other towns raise their beach tag fees. All the beaches seemed to have been busy this summer, even as people complained they can’t come anymore because of high prices. Compared to rental prices, a beach tag is not really the issue. ⛔

I predicted that real estate prices will push people farther off shore. Yes, indeed, mainland towns like Somers Point and Cape May Court House are seeing lots of second-home owners purchasing condos and houses, and pushing prices higher in those places. ✅

I predicted that with an early Labor Day, September will be the new July. Still to be determined, but it looks that way. The water is only now warming up after an unusually chilly spell. September has always been the nicest month at the Shore. Will the crowds stick around? ✅

I predicted that the transformation of the Shore culture will continue. Yes, the entitled continue to walk, and ride their golf carts, among us. They were out in force this summer, impatient and demanding as ever. But the old Shore is still there to be experienced. Just go to a lifeguard race. ✅