Drive through any town on the southern New Jersey coast what do you notice? Certainly, you’ll see stunning coastal views and beautiful beach homes nestled in and around quaint, small-town settings. But what you won’t see, for the most part, are big box retailers and chain establishments. Instead, you will find small, local, often family-owned and one-of-a-kind establishments.
The local artisans, chefs, brew-masters, farmers, crafters, entertainers and boutique shop owners are the backbone of southern Jersey coast, providing goods and experiences to enhance vacationers’ stays and provide for local residents. They are visionaries, sole proprietors and, in some cases, generations of families who work hard to make their dreams, and those of their customers, come true. And because they are small and local, they are able to provide impeccable personal service and a dedication to helping deliver just what their customers came for, like business owners once did decades ago before big corporations got involved. These are the important aspects of business that the big retail giants and chain establishments of today simply lack, employing instead a greedy profit-over-person mentality.
In 2010, “Small Business Saturday” began as a day when consumers were encouraged to support and celebrate small business. It has become an annual event, being held every Saturday after Thanksgiving. Its strategic positioning between Black Friday and Cyber Monday asks shoppers to think local when purchasing holiday gifts and support those establishments by visiting small local brick and mortar businesses. It’s important, because doing so can keep such a small business in operation.
Even though we’re considered to be at the end of the “shoulder season” for the shore, many shore establishments will remain open through the holidays and beyond. We encourage our readers to consider taking a day trip to the shore to enjoy some of the holiday festivities that have been planned.
Some of these businesses feature websites through which visitors can purchase items online at all times of year, so we suggest that you search for websites for the businesses you enjoyed during your summer visit and consider making an online purchase. This is a great time to find discounted merchandise, stock up on beach essentials for next year or find a perfect gift for your favorite shore-lover. Many of these shops and restaurants offer gift cards that you can purchase online. Giving the gift of a future experience at the shore is a wonderful idea. Even if the business does not maintain an online store, often you can call the business or send them an email and purchase a gift that way. I’ve had luck with this on several occasions because often the shore shop owners are thrilled that you thought of their business and want to help their customers find what they’re looking for, even if it is off season. With Cyber Monday looming, you may find some good online deals.
And if they don’t have a website but do have a social media presence, consider giving them a good review or a shout-out to thank them for what they did to enhance your visit. So often, the best review is word-of-mouth so if you had a positive experience, please share it.
Most everything you do and shop for at the shore is provided by a local business owner, so even if you are not able to get there today or purchase something online this season, please try to keep a “Small Business Saturday” mentality throughout the year and support these businesses in any way you can. 
Girlfriends Getaway Weekend
Jump Start Holiday Shopping
Avalon: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm*
Who: Trick-or-treating is fun for everyone – including the teens! After all, if they took the time to put together a costume and are knocking on your door and (hopefully politely) asking for candy, that means they’re not out doing other things. So let them have their fun-sized bars!
• Costumes should not restrict visibility or movement
1. Beachcomb. Fall is a great time to comb the beach for sea treasures. You are more likely to find unique seashells, sea glass and other items tossed out by the ocean, especially after a storm. So, grab a bucket, head to the beach and see what you can find.
2. Clean up the Beach. October 20 is Beach Sweep Day along the Jersey coast. Beach sweep events enlist volunteers to comb the beach, dunes and water’s edge to pick up trash to keep it from entering the ocean. Your participation will help save our marine life from the devastating effects that trash has on their lives and improve the general well-being of our ocean. Please note that Sea Isle City’s event will be held on October 13, 2018 but the other shore towns on the south Jersey coast will be hosting their events on October 20. If you wish to do a cleanup on your own, there’s an app for that – the Ocean Conservancy developed the Clean Swell ® app to allow users to record trash clean-up efforts so that scientists can better identify trends and find solutions. For more information on what you can do to help, check out our post on 
3. Sit and relax! Cooler temps, soft sea breezes and (still) warm sunshine make the beach a perfect place to relax in the fall. As a bonus, all south Jersey beaches are now free, and with fewer crowds you can set up wherever you want without someone plopping right in front of you. Bring a book or just sit and watch the waves (don’t forget sunscreen!)
6. Park for free. Many towns disable their parking meters after Labor Day and parking lot attendants close up shop. This means you can park for free – and freely – thanks to lessened crowds. What better incentive to patronize local shops and restaurants? With more funds to spend during awesome fall sales, you can get more bang for your buck. Save your quarters and the stress for next summer!
9. Turn right on red. One of the perks of being at the shore in off-season is the ability to turn right on red. If you get impatient waiting at a red light when no traffic is coming, you’ll be happy to learn that between October 1 – May 1 you can turn right on red to your heart’s content!
From seafood festivals to Oktoberfest and everything in between, each shore town has a plethora of events and activities planned this fall. Check out our list of Upcoming Events, and then grab the family and go!
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