Business Buzz
As July rolls around and you’ve settled into the Seven Mile summer mode, there is no better time than now to explore what’s new, what’s changed and what’s happening within the business community. From recognitions and awards to new businesses and pop-up shops, there is a lot of excitement surrounding your favorite shops and restaurants this season. Check out all of the buzz.
glassbaby’s blue trio votive holders
Armadillo, Ltd.
2761 Dune Drive, Avalon
609-368-3000
Armadillo, Ltd., will once again partner with Seattle-based glassybaby to host a pop-up show on July 28. The special event will take place at Armadillo from 10am to 4pm, featuring glassybaby’s hand-blown votive candle holders and drinking glasses. Proceeds from the event will go to glassybaby, which will donate 10 percent to two local organizations: the Play With Jack Foundation and Friend In Need.
Glassybaby was established 17 years ago by Lee Rhodes, a three-time cancer survivor who found that the light of a candle in hand-blown glass gave her hope. Through her inspiration, the company has since donated 10 percent of its proceeds, more than
$8 million, to nonprofits that help people, animals and the planet heal. The company’s team of artists handcraft hundreds of votives and drinkers in a variety of colors. Each hue is uniquely named such as “sweet pea,” “gratitude,” “papa” and “hope.” While the company runs like a family-owned business, it has touched people across the country and world.
“Glassybaby began with the intent to spread hope, comfort, and kindness,” says CEO Bill Cummings, Rhodes’ brother. “More specifically, Lee’s story inspired a company rooted in giving to cancer organizations and helping the ‘in-betweens’ for people; Play With Jack and Friends In Need both embody exactly that. This will be our second year partnering with Armadillo to support these two incredible nonprofits, and we look forward to what is to come.”
The product fits in with the theme of Armadillo’s merchandise, as the store carries unique home accents, gifts, décor and trendy, limited-edition, one-of-a kind items. It has been part of the Avalon business community year-round since 2002.
“John and I had such a fun time introducing our Armadillo friends to glassybaby last year and we are thrilled they asked to come again,” says Armadillo owner Jacquie Ewing, referring to her husband, John Bell. “We love the give-back mission and we are proud to be able to support our favorite nonprofits – Play With Jack and Friend In Need. It’s a total win-win. Their glasswork is beautiful and completely functional – my go-to wine glass is a glassybaby ‘splash.’ ”
In addition to the glassbaby pop-up, Armadillo will host a Pierre & Harry pearls trunk show July 28 and 29 from 10am to 4pm.
“We are delighted to be hosting the exquisite chic work of Cullen Daane, the creative force behind Pierre & Harry,” Ewing says. “Many of you know her work from the Naples [Fla.] location. Please come by for your pearl ‘fix.’ ‘I have enough pearls,’ said no one EVER.”
Big Hog’s BBQ
Big Hog’s BBQ
224 21st Street, Avalon
609-368-2277
Barbecue lovers will enjoy sweet and savory menu items at Big Hog’s BBQ, featuring Oscar’s Catering. When proprietor Drew Buchanan introduced Jim Meehan and Oscar Gayer, Big Hog’s was formed into the perfect mix of restaurant, late-night eatery and catering business, making it a welcome addition to the Avalon Food Court this summer.
“I recently moved back from South Carolina, where I worked at a barbecue restaurant called The Smokehouse for about 28 years,” Meehan says. “Drew didn’t want the people of Avalon to go without barbecue this summer and when he found out I was coming back, he gave me an offer I would be stupid to refuse, and the timing just really worked out perfectly. I’m really looking forward to bringing good American and homegrown food here, seeing old friends and hearing everyone’s take on the different styles of barbecue.”
Meehan has been visiting Seven Mile Beach since he was about 10 years old and has known Buchanan for about 30 years. He is originally from Wayne, Pa., and has worked in restaurants since he was about 15. He moved to South Carolina in 1999 and worked at a few barbecue restaurants there before entering an event with two friends, one from New York and the other from Chicago. They won the local tournament and were accepted into the barbecue world of the South. When friends from home would visit South Carolina, they always encouraged him to open a similar restaurant at home, whether in the Philadelphia area or Seven Mile Beach.
Big Hog’s BBQ opened in May, serving a Southern-style barbecue for lunch and dinner with sweet flavor instead of smoky. All smoking is done at the restaurant using the company’s two Southern Pride Smokers. The menu features the full complement of pork, chicken and brisket barbecue, but also offers complete platters from the chargrill such as prime cuts of filet mignon and New York strip steak. Ribs are offered as full, half and quarter racks, and the menu also includes slow-cooked prime rib and seafood du jour from the grill or broiler.
Taking advantage of Gayer’s catering expertise, Big Hog’s also offers Oscar’s Catering for on-site and off-site parties and events. He will offer the same menu as Big Hog’s as well as additional items from his catering company to your style and needs. All menus can be tailored to suit any size party.
Big Hog’s BBQ is open weekdays from noon to 9pm, weekends from noon to 10pm, and offers a late-night menu until 2:30am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tom Collins of Colmar Kitchen Studio.
Colmar Kitchen Studio
3025 Dune Drive, Avalon
609-368-9500 | colmarkitchenstudio.com
Tom Collins Jr., the owner of Colmar Kitchen Studio, was recently recognized by Viking Range, LLC as the First Quarter Designer of Distinction for one of his completed kitchen projects in Margate. The kitchen was a New York industrial-inspired kitchen with a contemporary look. To keep the client’s industrial theme, Collins incorporated charcoal-stained maple cabinets that popped against the background of brick veneer. He used stainless-steel Viking appliances, floating shelves, rustic iron casters and more.
“Typically, at the shore, we are working on more traditional, transitional and contemporary designs, so being able to step out of our typical aesthetic was a fun process and experience,” Collins says. “We even extended the New York-inspired design in the kitchen through to the rest of the home. The client and I were beyond pleased with the outcome. It is an honor to be selected for this recognition by Viking Range.”
Collins grew up working for Colmar, the family business, from a young age. After earning a bachelor’s degree at Villanova University, he spent some time working in New York City before heading home to work for Colmar full time. Since, Colmar Kitchen Studio has grown to include two showrooms in Avalon and Margate with a dedicated staff of designers. The company specializes in custom cabinetry and space planning for new kitchens and kitchen remodels, bathrooms, offices, libraries, laundry rooms and media rooms at the New Jersey shore and beyond.
Chris, Andrew and Kim Yerkes of Sundae Best.
Sundae Best
2801 Boardwalk, Avalon | 2900 Dune Drive, Avalon
609-830-5892 | sundaebestavalon.com
Sundae Best opened its second location right on the beach over Father’s Day weekend. Owned and operated by Kim Yerkes with her sons, Chris and Andrew, the flagship location opened about 17 years ago at 2900 Dune Drive and continues to grow.
“This all started because of my dad, Ed Galante,” Yerkes says. “He always wanted to have an ice cream store, so my brother, dad and I started as business partners. He would always be out front with his coffee, greeting customers and telling stories. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us, but he would be so excited about this new location.”
Chris and Andrew essentially grew up working in the family business. The flagship store opened when they were young, but they were able to help with some of the mopping and cleaning and have since grown up to work alongside their mom full time. Kim’s daughter, Cait Skaff, and her husband, Thomas Skaff, also play a role in the website and social-media aspect of the company, making this a truly family business.
“We’re going to be all hands on deck now,” says Chris Yerkes. “When we had the opportunity to come up here, we just couldn’t pass it up. We’re literally right on the beach.”
The space was completely renovated and redecorated over the past two months to include counter seating and tables and chairs on the outside deck overlooking the beach. The shop is open 9am to 9pm daily and features a variety of items in addition to your favorite ice cream flavors. The store will carry nitro cold-brewed coffee, fresh-squeezed orange juice, eight flavors of scooped water ice, eight flavors of ice cream, cones, cups and milkshakes, homemade popsicles and refreshing grab-and-go options for your way to and from the beach.
“Our customers are the best and they have been so supportive in our new venture,” Kim says. “It’s felt good to know how supported we are and we’re really excited about this. We plan to add to the menu as people share what they want with us.”
