Like most holidays, there’s no better place to spend Easter than on the beach in Ocean City. The Princess Royale, which sits right on the ocean on 91st Street, becomes a springtime paradise on Easter weekend for children and adults alike.
Kids can take part in the egg hunt on Easter Sunday starting at 12 p.m. on the Cafe on the Green outside of Schooners Restaurant, or poolside in the event of inclement weather. The egg hunt is free for children and is BYOB – Bring Your Own Basket.
[promos][promo name=”Princess Royale” business=”9100 Coastal Hwy Ocean City, MD” img=”https://www.oceancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1845_princess-royale.png” link=”https://www.oceancity.com/hotels-and-motels/aloft-ocean-city/” cta_text=”Book Now” small_img=”true” top_border=”1″] The Princess Royale Oceanfront Family Resort & Condominiums is the largest all-suite resort in Ocean City. Located beachfront, it offers two-room suites with fully-equipped kitchenettes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and suites overlooking the large indoor heated swimming pool, hot tubs, saunas and four-story glass atrium. [/promo][/promos]
All members of the family are welcome to enjoy a delicious Sunday brunch in the Palmetto Ballroom, which will be seating 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on April 21. The selection includes an omelette station, top round of beef, chicken champagne, citrus-glazed salmon, hickory smoked ham, pierogies, quiche lorraine, mashed potatoes, bacon and sausage, home fries, a Belgian waffle station, French toast, homemade salad, the vegetable of the day and a gourmet dessert station, plus chicken fingers and tater tots for the kids.
The photos below portray just a small sample of all the fun to be had at a Princess Royale Easter celebration. Whether it’s a flip flops and t-shirts kind of day or a cloudy, light-jacket-needed Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny will be hopping around and bringing springtime joy to all the children and their families who are celebrating in the Princess’ backyard.
Searching for Easter eggs with the beach as your backdrop — what more could you ask for?Parents are welcome to help the little ones.
The whole family gets together for brunch, before or after the egg hunt.Everyone is welcome to meet and take pictures with the Easter Bunny!
Tanger Outlets announced on Monday that it had closed on the sale of four of its none-core outlet centers, including its location in Ocean City, Md.
Tanger’s Ocean City outlet, along with three other locations in Nags Head, North Carolina, Park City, Utah, and Williamsburg, Iowa, represent 6.8% of the Company’s consolidated portfolio square footage and approximately 5.1% of its forecasted 2019 portfolio net operating income. The sale of the four outlets generated gross proceeds of $130.5 million.
“By completing these asset sales, we are strengthening the overall quality, reducing the average age, and improving the longer-term growth profile of the portfolio,” said Steven B. Tanger, Chief Executive Officer. in a press release.
“We believe the benefits of these dispositions over time will more than offset the expected short-term earnings dilution, given that these assets are not expected to produce the long-term growth in cash flow that we anticipate from our core portfolio. Our dividend remains well-covered even with the sale of these assets.”
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. acquired the shopping center, which was once known as Ocean City Factory Outlets, in 2011. Located off Route 50 in West Ocean City, the shopping center features brand-name and designer retailers including Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach and Under Armour outlet and factory stores.
The buyer of the Ocean City location was still unidentified as of April 2. The now-closest Tanger Outlets to Ocean City in Rehoboth Beach, De. was not sold.
Tanger’s stock price was down 2.96 percent to $20.35 per share in trading on Monday.
Have a great story about your time at the beach or, really anywhere in Maryland or on the Delmarva Peninsula? Are you interested in developing a following as a blogger or travel writer, or in sharing your particular perspective with a massive audience? We accept submissions and pitches about Maryland culture, history and fun. We also accept photo blogs about day trips all around the state. We can provide you a space on OceanCity.com, Annapolis.com, Virginia.com or Maryland.com to explore your photography and writing talents. Whether you are trying to build your personal brand or just looking to make a bigger splash with your beach insights and memories, we can provide the platform you need to reach more people more often.
If you are looking to gain experience, we’re looking for freelance writers.
We provide editing, positive critique, and access to hundreds of photos (for writers who don’t shoot their own). Additionally, some writers get behind the scenes access to write about experiences from a perspective few other people can. OceanCity.com also provides social media support including highlighting all blog posts across all our destination sites on our Facebook page and Twitter streams, which reach more than 200,000 readers combined.
If you are interested in writing about local craft beer, we have a place for that as well.
If you’re a photographer, our Facebook page has some of the best photographic contributions any tourism site could ask for. So many in fact that we can’t share them all. We’re looking for photographers who can not only show the region’s true beauty, but who wouldn’t mind sharing tips and tricks with visiting photographers and enthusiasts. Contributors can publish photos either directly to OceanCity.com or from their personal or professional Flickr account. We provide editorial feedback on whatever prose you choose to contribute and promotion of your personal or professional photography page.
We hope to be a significant part of a supportive writing and photoblogging culture, a network where the creators work together not only to support one another, but to show the area in the multifaceted way it deserves.
If you are interested, please email aneely@OceanCity.com.
We’re approaching summer, which means the following list of events and things-to-do This Month in Ocean City is looong.
Come May, I’ll transition back to This Week in Ocean City, and I’ll also do a special edition later this month for Easter, but you can click below to see Easter events and specials, too. (I will also start doing videos again, since it’s finally the time of year where I can hold a camera without my fingers going numb.)
Easter is Sunday, April 21st and there are plenty of egg-cellent things to do in Ocean City! Here are a few great deals and some of our recommendations of things to do in OC during Easter weekend this year: Street celebrations Ocean Pines will be celebrating the holiday with an Easter/Spring Celebration and Easter Egg Hunt on April 20 from 11 a.m.
Aside from Easter, the big news of the month is that paid parking season, which runs from April 1 – Oct. 31, has started up again for the season. Rates are $2 per hour on the street and $3 per hour in the Inlet Lot. Vehicles with handicapped plates/placards can park for up to an hour at no charge on the street and in municipal lots.
The Pay-by-Plate system that debuted last year is still in effect. If you need a refresher, here’s our quick how-to video:
Have a fantastic spring, and we’ll see you soon on the beach and Boardwalk!
#ThisMonthinOC
First Friday Opening Reception at the Art League (April 5): First Friday Opening Receptions are held the first Friday of each month at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th Street. Meet the artists, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and see the new exhibits featuring a variety of local artists. From 5pm to 7pm and open to the public. Free Admission.
Ocean City Bridal Show (April 7): Planning on getting married any time soon? Then this is where you need to be! Spend the afternoon at Seacrets, enjoy their Beach Cocktails while meeting the beach’s top wedding vendors. Enjoy free appetizer and dessert samples, entertainment, dance demonstrations, Bridal Fashion Expo and Men’s formal wear display. Admission: $10
2nd Friday Art Stroll in Berlin (April 12): Take a stroll through downtown Berlin and check out the town’s featured artists in their local shops and restaurants. Each month is unique, but you’ll always find great art!
Komen Ocean City More Than Pink Walk (April 13): Fundraise today to help reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the U.S. by 2026. New lower $20 registration fee through Walk Day! All survivors will receive a complimentary t-shirt and Komen wrap to use in the opening ceremonies.
Boardwalkin’ for Pets (April 20): The 20th Annual Boardwalkin’ for Pets is a walk on the boards in Ocean City, Md to raise funds for the private, non-profit, NO-KILL animal shelter, the Worcester County Humane Society. This weekend of events is the largest fundraiser we hold each year.
Spring Celebration in Berlin (April 20): Welcome the start of Spring in Downtown Berlin, Md. Enjoy a day of food, games for the kids, vendors and lots of fun.
Extreme Illusions and Escapes (April 20): Experience a show that leaves audiences breathless and bewildered. Prepare to be amazed by some unbelievable and death-defying escapes and laugh out loud, hilarious moments with audience participation throughout the entire show!
Ward World Championship Carving Competition (April 26-27): Carvers & visitors from around the world convene for the most prestigious competition of contemporary wildfowl art. Event includes judging, benefit auction, classes & seminars, demonstrations, children’s activities and exhibitor booths of artisans & art supplies. View world class bird carvings and sculptures, bid on world class art at the benefit auction.
Maryland International Kite Expo (April 26-28): Maryland International Kite Exposition on the Boardwalk between 2nd and 6th street will feature three fun-filled days of kite flying on the beautiful beaches of Ocean City. Take a walk down the Boardwalk and look up at the skies filled with colorful and spectacular kites.
Island to Island Half Marathon/5k (April 27): You decide, either a half marathon or 5K! Half Marathon runners start on the scenic Assateague Island and finish their 13.1 miles at the Ocean City Inlet overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and white sandy beaches. 5K runners run on the historic Ocean City Boardwalk, also finishing at the Inlet, along with the Half Marathon runners.
3rd Annual Hero’s Challenge (April 27): The Salisbury City Police is hosting its 3rd Annual Fire Truck Pull to benefit the Maryland Special Olympics. Build a 10 person team and pull a Fire Truck 50 feet in the fastest time, or just come to watch, enjoy a family style festival, and try some local of craft beer from 3rd Wave, Evo and Tall Tales, only $5 a pint.
Spring Restaurant Week (April 28-May 10): Come to Ocean City for Restaurant Week and have the opportunity to try new restaurants from fixed price menu options. They may offer a $10, $20, $30, or $40 fixed menu. Dining options range from the clean and simple to fine dining. A great time to try something new.
Earth day is an event that is observed globally on April 22. It is a day held to demonstrate and promote environmental awareness and calls for the protection of our planet. In observation of this event, numerous Ocean City environmental groups are conducting cleanups throughout the community.
To kick things off, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), Ocean City Surf Club (OCSC) and the Town of Ocean City will be hosting the 10th annual Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 6. Last year, over 200 volunteers joined forces to help the town and coastal protection organizations pick up trash in the wetlands, beach and sand dunes in Ocean City.
Garbage bags, gloves and a commemorative tee shirt are provided (while supplies last). Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register with MCBP in advance to allow for an accurate number of supplies and assignments. Interested participants can register by emailing sandis@mdcoastalbays.org or calling 410-213-2297 ext. 106.
Registration will also be taken on the day of the cleanup by checking in at the Gazebo at the City Hall, located on 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, beginning at 10 a.m. A cleanup area will be assigned at registration but supplies are available on a first come, first serve basis. Early registration is strongly encouraged.
To add to the effort, four additional cleanups will be held by varying groups, including the Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) on Saturday, April 13, and the Surfrider Chapter of Ocean City on Saturday, April 20. For more information, visit www.oceancitymd.gov or https://mdcoastalbays.org/.
Ocean City, Maryland – (March 26, 2019): Ocean City’s paid parking season begins April 1 and will remain in effect until October 31. Rates are $2 per hour on the street and in municipal parking lots and $3 per hour in the Inlet Parking Lot. Handicapped vehicles (with a handicapped plate or visible placard) may park for up to one hour at no-charge on-street or in municipal lots only.
Last year the town converted the old “Pay and Display” system to new solar-powered kiosks with a “Pay by Plate” feature. With the current system you must enter your license plate number first before paying for your time. There is no need to place a receipt on the dashboard, you just pay and go. In addition, time can be extended at the kiosk with your plate number.
Enforcement for on-street and municipal lot parking and Inlet Lot parking vary.
Parking Navigation Information on where to park in Ocean City, Maryland During the off season, parking is plentiful, but once the weather breaks it can become a challenge to find a place to park in Ocean City, especially in the Inlet and Downtown areas.
For Inlet Lot Parking: Inlet Parking Lot visitors can pay for the desired amount of time when you park or before you leave your parking space by paying for the amount of time you stayed. Remember, your first 30 minutes are free!You do not need to display a receipt on your dash. Instead, you enter your license plate at a nearby kiosk & the system will recognize your “paid time” based on your vehicle. (Note: You will need to know your complete license plate including letters).You may also pay with the ParkMobile App. A violation of Inlet Lot Parking will result in a mailed bill of time spent in the lot at $3 per hour, plus a $25 administrative fee. This fee will escalate to $50 if not paid within 30 days. Patrons must pay for expired time prior to leaving the Inlet Lot to avoid being billed for additional administrative costs.
For On-Street or Municipal Lot Parking: To use on-street or municipal parking lot kiosks; park, take a moment to write down or snap a photo of your license plate, walk to the nearest pay station, enter your license plate number (including letters), the length of time you wish to stay, and your payment. You may also pay with the ParkMobile App.
Unlike the Inlet Parking Lot, on-street & municipal lot parking requires that you MUST pay for your desired amount of time WHEN YOU PARK. Weekly parking paid at 100th St. lot does NOT apply to parking at the Inlet, on-street parking, or other municipal lots. A violation of Street Parking & other Municipal Lot parking will result in a physical parking ticket ($50 fine) which can be voided if payment is made at a pay station for expired time within one hour of receiving the ticket.
While the kiosks are new, the pay by cell parking system remains in place. This highly recommended feature allows parkers to pay for their parking with the Parkmobile mobile parking app. The app can send text reminders when your parking time is about to expire and you can extend your time directly from the app. The Parkmobile app is available for download on the App store for the iPhone, the Google Play Store for Android devices, and the Microsoft store for Windows phones.
Worcester County Recreation and Parks (WCRP) is hosting its inaugural event, Glamour Day, at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill on Saturday, April 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Participants will spend time getting pampered as hair stylists, makeup artists and manicurists from the Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology provide beauty services.
This event is open to students in grades pre-K through sixth. Families should register online at www.worcesterrecandparks.org to reserve desired appointment times. Participants will have their photos taken, and props will be included. Photos will be emailed to the address provided during registration.
A parent or guardian is required to stay with each child. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
For more information, contact Trudy Porch or Kelly Buchanan at 410-632-2144. To view other upcoming events, visit WCRP at www.worcesterrecandparks.org.
The facade of the almost-30-year-old bar and grill on Philadelphia Avenue downtown is currently in the process of getting a facelift. New food and drink specials will make their debut on May 15, and around the same time, their serving staff will be increased to accommodate seasonal crowds.
It may seem like a lot, but other than that there isn’t too much to do. At least, no more than usual. Brittney Acita, who took over the restaurant with her husband Justin Acita almost five years ago, says she’s typically ready for the oncoming summer by January.
[promos][promo name=”Pickles Pub” business=”8th Street and Philadelphia Ave., Ocean City, MD” img=”https://www.oceancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1827_pickles14.jpg” link=”https://www.oceancity.com/restaurants-and-bars/pickles-pub/” cta_text=”Read More” small_img=”true” top_border=”1″] Pickles Pub has been a favorite with locals for almost 30 years. Open year-round downtown on 8th Street, they serve lunch, dinner and their full menu until 1 a.m. They have six pool tables and show sports on their giant high definition screens, plus an extensive beer list with a constantly rotating selection of beers from local and regional breweries. [/promo][/promos]
“It’s actually funny because everyone says, ‘oh, winter’s like your downtime,’ but winter’s essentially my busiest time,” she said. “I have all the entertainment done by February 1st for the entire 2019… Our bartenders stay year-round, our kitchen stays year-round, we just add more servers in the summer.”
Pickles made a name for itself as a locals bar, partly because it’s open seven days a week all year round, partly because there’s live entertainment every weekend no matter what the season, and partly — probably — because Brittney and Justin are so in tune with their guests and their staff.
The couple was already well-acquainted with the restaurant industry before they came to own the pub in 2016. Justin had been a manager at Embers before he managed Pickles, and Brittney has been in the service industry since she was 13.
When they met 12 years ago, Pickles was one of the first places that they went on a date. First they went to the Dungeon (RIP) for free beer and tacos, Brittney recalled, and then they came to “The Pickle.”
“It is a big part of our past. All of my early 20s were spent here,” she said. “We’ve watched it grow with us.”
The Acita family (at least, 4/5 of it now).
It’s now 12 years, three businesses and three kids later, and the Acitas are running Pickles “like a well-oiled machine.” They’ve been able to take a small step back this year, Brittney said, and work more from their home office — which is especially helpful since their third child was just born in February — but they still spend plenty of time in the restaurant and their liquor store next door.
On busy nights, Justin gets on the line in the kitchen, and Brittney hops behind the bar or runs food out. They’ve got it down to a science, she said, and what makes it so easy is that they have a great team. Much of their staff has been working there for years, and the team is so tightly-knit that they even spend some holidays together. And the two owners balance each other out well.
“I work with [Justin] seven days a week of my life and I raise children with him seven days a week of my life,” Brittney said. “And I still miss him when I’m not with him.”
There are new games in the game room, all the entertainment for the summer has been scheduled, and the city is laying out new sidewalks outside. The construction coincided nicely with the Acitas’ plan to revamp their outdoor patio/smoking area, which will be done by the summertime.
A new drink menu was released in late March, and a new food menu will debut on April 1, long enough before summer that the staff can get to know it inside and out before the real crowds arrive. Reubens, chicken and waffles and corned beef sliders are just some of the new food options that will appear on the menu, alongside a pickle pizza, which consists of a butter base topped with mozzarella cheese and pickle spears.
It may sound a little strange, but Brittney assures that the pickle pizza is very good. It’s never too difficult for them to find inspiration for palatable, pickle-themed fare.
“Any time there’s something ‘pickles’ online, Justin and I are tagged in it at least 500 times,” she said.
Pickle shots are one item that will always remain on the menu — at Pickles and at many other bars and shops throughout Ocean City. It was only last July that Brittney dreamed up a bottled version of the pub’s famous Pickle Shot, and now it’s available in 95 locations throughout Maryland, with Delaware just catching up, too.
The Original Pickle Shot is so successful, Brittney said, because it’s so unlike anything else on the market. The vodka- and brine-based liquor is a decent proof, but “you can do more than one or two or three shots and still be able to function,” she said. “Not drive, but you can still function.”
More than 100,000 pickle shots are sold each year — and that’s just in the bar, not even counting all the bottled Original Pickle Shots that have been purchased since the bottle’s July 2018 debut — because it’s different in a good way. The pickle shot is commonly described as unique, flavorful and full of personality, just like the pub that sells it.
Pickles will celebrate its 30th anniversary in May, proving that a locals-owned locals bar has major staying power in Ocean City.
The 29th Annual Cruisin’ Ocean City returns to town May 16-17-18-19. This nationally recognized event attracts more than 3,000 customs, hot rods, street machines, classics and more from over 20 states plus Canada. The 29th Annual Cruisin’ will have more than 10,000 event participants taking part in various car shows at the Convention Center on 40th Street, the downtown Inlet parking lot and various citywide locations.
What’s new
A new event for the 2019 season is the Cruisin Car Corral, to be held Thursday and Friday inside the Convention Center. To put your car in the corral, call 410-798-6304. Space is limited.
New for the 2018 season was an additional location at the US 13 Dragway, in Delmar DE, just a quick drive from OC, MD. Like last year, events will take place Friday and Saturday during Cruisin’ weekend. More details coming soon.
Special guests
Scheduled to appear at this year’s Cruisin is Catherine Bach, best known for her role as Daisy Duke from the Dukes of Hazzard. Catherine will be at the Ocean City Convention Center Friday 11-4 and the Beachside Inlet on Saturday 11-4. Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Dukes of Hazzard with Catherine Bach! Also scheduled to appear, from the hit show Counting Cars, meet Ryan Evans! Ryan will be at the Beachside Inlet on Friday 11-4 and inside the Convention Center Saturday 11-4.
Taking the stage of the Ocean City Performing Arts Center during Cruisin Ocean City is Grammy Award Winner and Country Music Legend Joe Diffieon Thursday May 16, 2019.
With 12 #1 hits including “Home,” “Pick-up Man,” “Third Rock from the Sun” and “John Deere Green” this is a show you won’t want to miss! Opening for Joe Diffie will be none other than Maryland Native and viral sensation Jackson Dean! Winner of the Maryland Music Award for Best Songwriter and Best New Breakout Artist Jackson recently gained recognition for his rendition of the National Anthem. All seats are reserved and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster, 1-800-551-SEAT on online by clicking here.
Top auto vendors
Some of the country’s top national names will be showcasing their products in manufacturers midway at the Inlet Parking Lot including Advance Auto Parts, Advantage Lifts, AMSOIL, Barrett-Jackson, COMP Performance, Covercraft Car Covers, CVF Racing, Detroit Speed, Flaming River, GEICO, Grundy Insurance, Krietz Auto, Miller Welding, Mothers Polish, QA1, Ridetech, Ron Francis Wiring, Summit Racing, Sundance Vacations, TREMEC and Wissel & Walsh. At the OC Convention Center there will be Treasured Motor Services, Pioneer Pole Builders and a variety of vendors both inside and outside selling automotive merchandise along with arts & crafts, jewelry, t-shirts and many other specialty items. There will also be a Swap Meet Thursday, Friday and Saturday inside the Convention Center. Additional vendors will be at the US 13 Dragway location.
Special events
Additional Cruisin Ocean City highlights are the special Boardwalk Parades that will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Parades will begin at 8am from 26th street and cruise south to the Inlet.
On Sunday the Grand Finale Awards will take place at the Beachside Inlet. Before Cruisin comes to an end there will be more than 500 trophies, plaques and awards presented plus over 3,000 giveaways.
There is so much to see and do at this year’s event so make sure to mark your calendars for May 16-17-18-19, 2019 and cruise on down to Ocean City Maryland for the 29th Annual Cruisin Ocean City.
Cruise on down to Ocean City, MD for one of the largest car shows on the east coast! Enjoy four days of hot rods, trick trucks, custom and classic cars.
The Ocean City Fire Department’s volunteer division has launched a new website and debuted a new recruitment video.
Along with increasing the recruitment of general membership in the division, the website and video were developed to increase interest in the division’s various programs including the Cadet Program, the Ride Along Program and the Live-In Program.
“It has been years since we updated our website and it was time for a fresh, more engaging look,” said the Department’s Retention and Recruitment Coordinator Christine Bennett. “Not only is the site more user-friendly, but it focuses on recruitment by making information more understandable and easier to find.”
Designed by firefighter Brooks Layton of Chief Technologies, the website’s new home page now features news stories with links to additional photos, as well as links to the department’s social media pages.
Additionally, the site features an updated calendar of events, new information pages for membership, an easy-to-use contact form and new information on the department’s various programs.
Featured alongside the new website is a four-and-a-half minute recruitment video. The video was filmed and produced internally by Firefighter Cesar Campos, an active firefighter and owner of Campos Media. Campos has been a volunteer member for four years and used his knowledge and expertise to highlight the very unique components of Ocean City’s Volunteer Fire Company.
“Not only is this video a great way to recruit for new members, but it is a great promotional tool to highlight all of the wonderful things we do on the volunteer side of the Ocean City Fire Department,” Bennett said. “Several officers and members contributed to this effort and I am really proud of the outcome.”
Find out which team will bring home millions in prize money this year at the White Marlin Open
Put your dancing shoes on (or go barefoot) for the weekly Beach Dance Party
Bring the whole family to the Easter Fun Fair and Arts and Crafts Show (Free for those three and under and military/fire/police, only a few dollars for all others)
Look for the colorful lights that illuminate the beach at night
Jayne Bunting Kendall owns The Angler with her sister Julie Bunting Smith, and together they represent the fourth generation of Buntings to operate the 81-year-old restaurant and marina. Jayne thinks it may just be the oldest family-operated business in Ocean City.
It’s a competitive industry in a seaside vacation town, and hundreds (if not thousands) of restaurants have come and gone over the years. The Angler’s food, Eastern Shore seafood being the specialty, is high-quality, and their bayside views are unmatched. Still, it’s not totally outlandish for one to wonder… What’s their secret to staying in business so long?
“I can’t speak for all 81 years,” Jayne said. “But our family has always worked very well together.”
Her great-grandfather, Charles Rollins Bunting, purchased the property in the 1930s, back when the plot of land was only marsh grass without even a dock. In fact, the Buntings were the first family in Ocean City to be issued a dock building permit. Rollins Bunting owned all the property from where The Angler currently stands, south; he gave his five sons each a parcel of land, putting them in competition with one another as the sons opened up their own restaurants and marinas.
An old shot of The Angler’s marina.
One son, William Bunting, erected a small building adjoining his father’s dock, where he sold fishing bait and sodas and rented out small boats. His wife Louise started selling homemade pies, and then breakfast to the fishermen before they headed out for the day.
“There wasn’t Wawa or Royal Farms and all those places to stop then,” Jayne said. “So they came to this destination where she had coffee for them, and she started making things for them to have to take on the boat.”
The breakfast tradition at The Angler continues to this day, though most guests enjoy it on the restaurant’s deck instead of a fishing boat, facing picturesque views over the bay and the Route 50 bridge.
Business picked up, but Captain Bunting and his boat, The Angler, were called to serve in the Coast Guard in World War II. Upon returning home, Bunting found that storms had washed the dock away, and in 1945, a new dock and addition were built.
A tradition of constant updating and refurbishing the business has also continued since The Angler’s early years. After Hurricane Sandy bombarded the East Coast in 2012, The Angler underwent a “total rehab,” much like the necessary reconstruction it endured back in 1945.
“We had planned the renovation, and then Sandy helped with the demolition of it,” Jayne said.
Inside The Angler, circa 1950s.
But a quick jump back to the past: Eventually, William Bunting’s son William Porter took over the family business with his wife, Martha. William captained the sport fishing boat during the day, and Martha cooked at the restaurant by night. Their daughters, Julie and Jayne, joined the operation, and eventually came to own and run the business themselves.
“We work very well together. We both have our places in what we do,” Jayne said.
“With my mother and father, he did the morning shift, she did the evening shift, my grandmother cooked, my grandfather did the marina aspect of it, so everybody’s always kind of fallen into their own expertise and then just worked well together.”
The family legacy continues well into 2019. This summer, Jayne’s son Porter will come home from college and work in the restaurant, while Julie’s children Meegan Jayne, R.J. and Maura are also heavily involved.
“They just have a passion for it,” Jayne said. “Not everyone is suited for this business, but the kids, a couple of them really, really like it.”
The Angler has evolved with the times, but its unmatched views have always remained the same. This photo was taken by Tony Russo in the summer of 2016.
It’s the passion that the family has for what they do, along with their ability to work well as a team and thrive in their individual roles at the restaurant and marina, that makes The Angler the success story that it is. They’ve made many lifetime friendships and patrons over the years, and the two sisters always try to be around in the restaurant because someone is always looking to stop by and say hello.
Employees come back year after year, too. A server that had worked at The Angler in her 20s recently came back at age 83, 60-some years later.
Jayne usually works in the kitchen, but every now and then she takes the time to step outside on the deck to take in the beauty of the location and decompress.
“There’s so many fond memories here for us,” she said. “I was a hostess here when I was a little girl and I came to work with my parents — it was much smaller, we didn’t seat as many people and it was a smaller venue then, but it’s really evolved and we’ve evolved with it.”
Now, in 2019, new awnings and furniture have been set up and the upcoming season’s musical entertainment has been booked. The Angler has been constantly upgrading and evolving throughout its eight-decade history, but the views have remained just as pristine and are best enjoyed with a hearty Eastern Shore breakfast, lunch or dinner.
How close can I beach? is the question on everyone’s mind when they’re searching for their dream home in Ocean City. It’s not an uncommon question — in fact, it’s the name of a relatively new show on HGTV, and the latest episode that premiered on March 17 centered around a family searching for a home by the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.
In the season two episode “Breezy Boardwalk Dreams,” former Annapolis residents Colin and Samantha Long search for a house in Ocean City to reside in full-time.
They’re tired of dealing with traffic, the episode’s synopsis says. Having grown up in the area, they want to give their children the same experiences they had growing up, living just steps away from Ocean City’s iconic boardwalk and beach.
The premise of the show is, according to HGTV, “Buyers with dreams of living near the sand and surf learn that sometimes the ideal house may not be right on the beach. They’ll tour different homes that offer the beach lifestyle at varying distances to the shore and witness firsthand the clear differences in space, amenities and views these homes offer. After carefully considering their options, they’ll decide how close to the beach their dream house will be.”
Search Ocean City Real Estate: Ocean City Real Estate: Live, work and play at the beach Many people have come to Ocean City for generations and the passion for this Atlantic Coast resort is remarkable. Many of you wish you could live here.
Similar to HGTV’s popular show House Hunters, a real estate agent shows buyers three potential homes, all within the same price range and meeting various requirements of the buyers from size to location. At the end of the show, the buyers reveal which of the three homes they ultimately chose.
The Longs were searching for a two-bedroom residence under $350,000. Their real estate agent, Chelsea Tull of Coldwell Banker’s Ocean City office, showed the couple a house in Ocean Pines, an oceanfront condo on 70th Street, and an ocean block house on 142nd Street.
In addition to the houses and condo that were shown to buyers, the episode featured shots of the Ocean City beach and boardwalk, as well as scenic bayside views and local businesses including Mad Fish Bar & Grill (where Tull and the Longs are seated out on the back patio in the cover image above).
This isn’t the first time Ocean City has appeared on an HGTV program. In a 2018 episode of “Beachfront Bargain Hunt,” an Easton family searches for a beachside vacation home, while a 2017 episode of the same show depicts a family from Phoenix, Maryland searching for an oceanfront home under $325,000.
The 21-minute episode of How Close Can I Beach? premiered on TV on March 17, and is now available to watch online.
When is the best time to book your weekly vacation rental for this summer? Contrary to our ordinary thought process, the time for reserving your summer rental is later rather than sooner.
Booking prior to January will limit your choices as much as booking too late will. This is due to the practice of holding weeks for repeat tenants, who have first-choice each year. The procedure of holding properties for repeat tenants makes many weeks appear to be booked, although many of these “reservations” are simply tentative “holds.”
In reality, every January, many weeks are released and made available when repeat tenants do not commit to the time held for them. Therefore, a week you thought was rented when you checked back in November may suddenly become available in January.
Take advantage of the slow time!
Historically, March 15 – April 15 is a slow time in booking vacation properties. That time slot is known among local agents as the “tax slump.” The slower time of year provides opportunities for agents to spend more time with each prospective renter without the pressure of calls waiting on hold.
Renters may want to take advantage of the slow time to ask questions about the properties. Don’t be afraid to ask the agent if they have seen the unit, and what their opinion may be.
Ocean City Vacation Rentals and Condos Vacation Rentals Navigation Renting a house or condo in Ocean City If you’re looking for a condo, it’s a renter’s market – OceanCity.com Historically, Ocean city condo rentals have been profitable and therefore have been considered sound financial investments.
Prices are not always set in stone
You might find a condo or townhouse that seems perfect for your family vacation, but the price is a little too high. Don’t accept a less desirable unit without making an offer on your “ideal location” first. After the first of March, some owners will agree to accept more reasonable offers. Agents are required to present your offer to the owner unless the owner has directed them to the contrary. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Later is better
The closer it is to the summer season, the greater the possibility that owners will reduce their prices. It is rare that a rate will not be reduced if you rent last minute (a week or less before check-in). In an effort to avoid “down time” or zero occupancy for a specific week, owners are more flexible.
Adversely, the closer to summer that a tenant waits to reserve, the fewer the options that will be available.
Therefore, if you want a four-bedroom, oceanfront townhouse, you shouldn’t wait as long. Townhouses are fewer in number and much harder to locate. That being said, if you only need a one- or two-bedroom condo, you could wait until last minute and (more than likely) obtain a better price for the week of your choice. Buzzfeed indicates 3-7 weeks prior to arrival is ideal.
Inspect the interior
View the rental property first
We highly recommend that tenants inspect the properties slated for their family vacation first, if at all possible. Even units in the same building may be vastly different in the ways they’re decorated or furnished. If you are unable to personally view the units, real estate companies have websites that provides photos of the interior of the weekly vacation rentals available: www.ezsummer.com
In some instances, you may want to speak directly with an agent before you book directly. That way, it’s possible to avoid misunderstandings or disappointments. Further, when you speak with an agent, you can place an offer rather than simply accepting the prices as stated on the site.
After booking your summer vacation, you may wish to also reserve a linen package for your stay. A number of tenants fly in and are unable to bring linens. There are several local companies that will deliver (and pick up) linens to rental properties. Just ask your Realtor for a list of service companies.
Most of the same linen companies also have cribs, high chairs, boogie boards and umbrellas that are available to rent for the week.
Regardless of your idea of the perfect weekly vacation property, there is ample availability for this summer, allowing you to take your time on plans to make this summer the best family vacation ever.
OCEAN CITY, MD – (March 12, 2019): The Ocean City Police Department is reminding citizens to expect traffic delays this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, as the Delmarva Irish-American Club host their Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival. The tradition, which has become the second largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in Maryland, will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2019. The parade begins at 12 p.m. at 57th Street and marches south on Coastal Highway to the 45th Street Shopping Center.
Ocean City, Maryland 2019 – Ocean City will be glowing in green as the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, sponsored by the Delmarva Irish-American Club, marches down Coastal Highway on Saturday, March 16, beginning at noon. The procession begins at 57th Street and marches south to the 45th Street Shopping Center, where the viewing and judging stands will be.
In order to offer an ample amount of space for the parade’s participating floats, bands and motorized units, southbound traffic with be reduced to one lane from 63rd Street to 43rd Street. Northbound traffic will remain open, however, no left turns or U-turns will be allowed along the parade route from the northbound lane including 62nd Street.
Residents and visitors will see traffic delays on southbound Coastal Highway as early as 9 a.m. and should expect congestion until after 2 p.m. To avoid traffic delays, viewers and visitors are urged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. Ocean City Police are recommending motorists entering the Town of Ocean City use Maryland Route 50, as traffic is not expected to be as heavy in the south end of town.
In addition, heavy pedestrian traffic is also expected along the parade route and in surrounding areas. Pedestrians are encouraged to use crosswalks and cross with caution.
