Area Businessmen Say

Season At Second Glance:

A POPULATED BEACH as they have been in recent weeks means happiness to area business owners. The crowded shoreline is a good indication that the 1979 summer season mayhave happy ending after an extremelv slow start.

It’s Better

Three factors arfe responsible for the poor

By Kathleen Cox Schaeffer The summer of 1979 will probably not hold too many fond memories for motel owners and business in Cape May County. Panicked by the gas crisis tourists stayed away from the shore in droves in the early days of the summer. Spiraling inflation has forced many families to cut back on vacation expenses. And, even the weather has refused to cooperate at

times.

But, what at first glance looked to be a disastrous season, even the worst season in recent memory is shaping up a little differently than first thought, according to area businessmen. "We’ve come out of the hole. Business has picked up nicely and we’re returning to a normal season," Charles Thomas, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Wildwood said. But, Thomas is cautiously optimistic. Business surged tremendously in the Wildwoods in the past month. The gas scare has receded somewhat. But, businessmen are far from on easy street. "The problem is we’re

not picking up enough to make up for inflation,"

Thomas said.

Motel room rates are basically the same as last year’s rates and the Canadian business, an important part of Wildwood’s tourist economy is down about 15 percent. "We feel we cannot recover whdt we lost," Thomas said, adding that most businesses will at least break even or show a

modest profit. Lou Hasson, President of the 352-member Greater Wildwood ’ Hotel-Motel Association agreed with Thomas' estimate of the 1979season. “Our motel owners are now smiling again,’’ Hasson said of the current

situation.

There isn’t a vacancy to be had on the island presently, Hasson said, and many motels are requiring

three flight minimum stays to try to make up for some of the early season’s losses. "The concensus is if we continue doing business like we’re doing now through September, I think we’ll get through the

summer."

Hasson, former owner of th& Luray Motel and a businessman for 20 years called the summer of 1976 "the roughest season I’ve seen in a longtime."

season: the gas crisis, the weather and the. poor national economy, Hasson

said.

On the gas situation Hasson said, "The hardest part I think is credibility." "But, I haven't heard of anyone being stranded yet,” he added. Wildwood gas station operators have told motel owners that ample gasoline supplies should be available through the end of the month, Hasson said. But, there is always one thing that is sure to help the resorts come gas crisis or economic depression — a heatwave. "If it gets to be 90 degrees in Ndrth Jersey and Philadelphia people will still comp down," Hasson said. Robert Patterson, Cape May County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, says he knows business is much improved. "I gather things are going wel^ because the businessmen are not calling me,” Patterson

said.

Local businessmen, frantic over the almost non-existent trade in May through mid-July would call Patterson every day

asking what could be done about unfavorable television broadcasts about the shore on Philadelphia stations among other things, Patterson said. "It was really, really devastating,” the director said of the early days of the

season.

But, a surge of business began around the- third week of July'and should continue if the cooler weather the Cape is now experiencing improves, Patterson said. Perhaps hardest hit by the slow season are the area campgrounds, Patterson said. "Campgrounds have not done well at all," the director said. * Most are experiencing a 50percent drop in business. Patterson said. This is largely because the campgrounds cater to the Canadian tourists and because the campgrounds cater to the Canadian tourists and because the gas-guzzling recreational vehicles so popular in past seasons are a rare sight

today.

Canadian tourism which usually comprises 25 to 30 percent of the area resorts’ trade has diminished to about five percent this year

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Miniature Shellshop Featured At Shell Show

MINIATURE SHELL SHOP A special feature of the Jersey Cape Shell Club this weekend will be this miniature shell shop made by Harriett Hickman. Many of the fine details in the shop are made of shells.

STONE HARBOR - Harriett Hickman is a woman with a great love for the sea "and everything in it." Her particular nautical passion centers around shell. And, as an avid collector and one - of the founders of the Jersey Cape Shell Club she knows whereof she speaks. Mrs. Hickman has added another dimension to her love of shells, marrying art with nature. The product is an intricately designed and worked miniature shellshop, a dollshouse scale model of the real thing. The miniature shellshop which includes rows of tiny bottles of miniscule shells sitting on doll-sized shelves, a tiny shell hanging plant basket, and a miniature shell lamp with handpa%ed seascape ainong otler delights will be on display this week at the Jersey Cape Shell Club’s annual shell shwo and sale. Mrs. Hickman's miniature shellshop will be featured at the show which will also include a wide array of shell collections and handmade shellcraft items fof sale.

The tiny shellshop occupied Mrs. Hickman throughout the winter. Each item in the first floor shop is uniquely and painstakingly executed. TTie second floor represents a studio for the shop owner to live in and the thrid floor is a bedroom. It is Mrs. Hicman’s first attempt at such a feat though she has expertise in decoupage and shellcraft and has taught both. A longtime resident of Avalon and Stone Harbor, Mrs. Hickman has a special affection for the sea and the shells it produces. Glass cases tastefully Qlled with over 1700 species' of shells are prominently displayed in her house. The shell club started in 1974 with a core of 16 shell enthusiasts. The club’s membership has since grown to about 100, Mrs. Hickman said. The club meets monthly at the Wetlands Institute presenting guest lecturers and films pertaining to the shell world. Shelling trips and shell trading are other activities club member enjoy. New members are welcomed.

ARTISTIC SHELL CRAFT. On sale al the Jersey Cape Shell Club at the Wetlands Institute will be handcrafted such as this shell scene held by Harriett Hickman.