Business Buzz
Spring traditionally signals a time for transformative change, fresh starts, and new growth. What a perfect way to describe this spring here on the Seven Mile Beach.
The loudest buzz for 2025 on Seven Mile Beach is news that The Union League of Philadelphia contracted with Anthony Zurowski to purchase The Whitebrier property on 20th and 21st Street. Exciting news for all of Cape May County and the source of the loudest business buzz on the island.
The Union League was established in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the doctrines of Abraham Lincoln. It’s been voted the No. 1 city club in the nation an unprecedented seven times. Today, the club boasts a membership of more than 4,000. Philosophically, the club plans for two generations in advance for its members. The purchase of The Whitebrier is yet another example of the club’s confidence in Seven Mile Beach. It now adds this Avalon gem to The Bungalow, a dining facility in Stone Harbor purchased by the club in 2014. The Union League is renowned for its appreciation of history, and its facilities and maintenance of their facilities are second to none. Residents are rightfully excited about the prospects of the Union League acquiring the property.
Be sure to look for our in-depth Q&A with Union League CEO Jeffrey McFadden in our Memorial Day issue. A longtime Avalon homeowner and Union League member recently described McFadden, who is also an Avalon homeowner, as “Simply the best club executive in the country today.” His innovation and foresight are unparalleled.
Some leftover buzz from last fall: Alas, the Humongous Hoagie is apparently now homeless. According to a sign that stood for decades at 68th and Ocean Drive, Brady’s Hoagie Dock was the “Home of the Humongous Hoagie” since it was opened by Jack and Rebecca Brady in 1982. Brady’s has been closed since the fall of 2023, and all signage was removed last October. That was about the same time Thomas Welsh Builders filed a notice of settlement for the property. Welsh’s office has since confirmed that new residential units are planned for that space.
Brady’s Hoagie Dock occupied an approximate 4,400-square-foot space that had previously housed a sailing center and marine dealer, a bakery, a candy store, and a small convenience store at various times since its opening in 1973. Jack Brady was a former Dad Vail champion and a lieutenant with the Avalon Beach Patrol. The Bradys featured three sizes of hoagies: mini, regular, and, of course, humongous. Primarily a seasonal business, Brady’s also carried a small selection of convenience grocery items. Jack Brady died in 2017.
A Brady neighbor, Croce’s Pasta, which spent parts of four summers at the southern end of the building at 68th Street, also will not return this summer. In a social media post in February, the Croce’s owners stated that they hoped to find a new location in Avalon but would remain open at their Cherry Hill and Glassboro locations until then.
One establishment that thankfully is not going anywhere anytime soon is Bobby Dee’s Rock’n Chair Restaurant. It closed for about a month after the first of the year to freshen the restaurant and bar. The DiPeso family, which traces its roots on Seven Mile Beach back to Sam’s Market in Avalon more than 60 years ago, has spared no expense over the past decade to keep Avalon’s oldest continuously operating business location modern, attractive, and relevant. “The Chair” is known as a legendary Avalon bar, but it also features a great, American-inspired menu and an even brighter, all-new interior. And if the game is on, it has the island’s newest and largest high-definition video screens. Every seat is the best seat in the house. There are lots of reasons to plan a return visit to this beloved Avalon institution.
Moving south to 96th Street, another island favorite, Fred’s Tavern, has a newly expanded kitchen. The longtime Stone Harbor mainstay closed its doors for about three weeks starting Feb. 24. This allowed for roof replacement and renovations to the kitchen and dining room. It reopened just in time for the Shiver, boasting a larger kitchen space that enables the experienced staff to provide even better service for all of your Fred’s favorites.
Speaking of 96th Street, on your way into town you may have noticed Cooper University Health Care’s affiliation has spread to our town’s primary and family care physicians. Cooper, which acquired Cape Regional Hospital last fall, is ranked year after year as one of the top health-care providers in the Philadelphia region by U.S. News & World Report. It features 11,000 team members, 1,600 nurses, and 1,000 physicians practicing in 95 specialties and sub-specialties. In addition to Cape Regional, it also operates Cooper University Hospital in Camden, the region’s busiest Level I trauma center.
Lots of buzz around the former site of Marie Nicole’s Grill at 79th and Ocean Drive. The folks who own Polpo in Avalon are in the midst of a significant renovation that will result in the introduction of Amara Ristorante, Seven Mile Beach’s newest restaurant. Amara’s menu will feature Mediterranean Italian along with steaks and fresh seafood. Marie Nicole idled in this location since the pandemic, but this will be the 10th dining establishment for the group that introduced Polpo to Avalon five years ago. In addition to the diverse menu, the island’s newest dining establishment will feature three bars over two floors, including an outside deck with weather permitting, retractable glass. The exact grand-opening date will be contingent on construction that has been underway since early February, but plan on a tasty opening this summer.
Staying on the dining front, how about some pizza? Two names familiar to the Seven Mile Beach will open pizza destinations in Avalon this summer. From the folks at Polpo and Amara is Fratelli’s Wood Fired Pizza at 3250 Dune Drive, two doors down from Polpo. They are planning to open for the Easter holidays with wood-fired pizza, cheesesteaks and, possibly later this summer, even a breakfast menu. And be sure to look for the return of the taste of Nemo’s Pizza this summer, perhaps as soon as Easter, construction permitting. Taking over the spot at 3101 Dune Drive, where the Seven Mile Island Deli was located, will be Vince’s Pizza. Vince Amato has owned and operated Nemo’s Pizza for the past decade-plus. He’s been exclusively in Stone Harbor for the past several years. Now, he’s heading back to Avalon.
You may have noticed a soft opening over Thanksgiving weekend at 2005 Dune Drive, a new clothing store just north of lululemon. The folks at Beachkrew are opening their third retail location. The new Avalon store joins those already in Ocean City and Sullivan Island, S.C. Beachkrew draws inspiration from the timeless allure of East Coast living — where the sea meets the shore, and every moment feels effortlessly free. Beachkrew now occupies the space formerly occupied by Kitchen Home Matters.
Lots of buzz at 2320 Dune Drive. BluFish is celebrating its 15th anniversary in a big way. It has moved from its former location at 21st Street and Dune Drive to a newly expanded space at 2320 Dune Drive, the former site of the recently retired Complete Interiors. BluFish’s success has been built on being a complete home-furnishing brand offering a mixture of indoor and outdoor furniture, accessories, rugs, window treatments, awnings, a custom furniture line, and a full-service interior design studio. Be sure to stop by and say hello to the BluFish folks in their new location.
Bayview Garden Nurseries, another company dedicated to making your home a showplace, is now located on Dune Drive. Founded in 1952, Bayview Garden Nurseries is a third-generation family-owned and operated landscape design, installation, and maintenance company. You will find its new location in the alley of shops at 2819 Dune Drive, along with Louella, Chosen, and P+M Builders.
For all your electrical needs, there’s a new business focused on making your home even more magnificent: Surf Electric. Its goal is to be your one-stop shop for all your electrical and lighting requirements. Located at 20 S. Main in Cape May Court House, it should be your first call for residential electric service, new construction, lighting fixtures, EV charging stations for your home, smart home conversions, and all electrical installations. A Best of South Jersey Contractor, Surf is family-owned and has been in business since 2009. Why not give Surf a call, or even better, visit its lighting showroom in Cape May Court House?
One final new locale: A. Lewis Purdy Real Estate moved from its longtime location at 2899 Dune Drive, across from Avalon Supermarket, about five blocks north on Dune. The Purdy team will now happily handle your buying, selling, and rental needs at 2307 Dune Drive.
An interesting note: For the entrepreneurs among our readers, as of March 1, four prime commercial spaces were available for rent in Avalon and Stone Harbor. Come on, admit it — you have always had a “can’t miss” idea for a shore business. Well, here’s your opportunity. Contact your favorite realtor and become part of our next Business Buzz.