Boardwalk Block Party Celebrates New Businesses

WILDWOOD — Readers who grew up in Philadelphia are likely familiar with the term “block party,” but they don’t often attend such functions when they’re at the shore.
Block parties are annual fiestas that bring residents together to close off their block to traffic, and celebrate having each other as neighbors.
A group of Boardwalk businesses brought a little Philly culture to Wildwood on Thur., Jun 10 when they celebrated new neighbors and partnerships with longtime residents.
Capt’n Jacks Island Grill, a sixth Hot Spot Café and the Palace of Sweets and its Adventure Maze are the new kids on the block between Juniper and Poplar avenues. They celebrated their grand openings at the party.
They join established businesses Joe’s Fish Co. on Morey’s Surfside Pier, Stewart’s, Sam’s Pizza and Sand Jamm Surf Shop to make that stretch of the Boardwalk one of the most progressive in the Wildwoods.
The businesses provided samples of their wares and allowed block party attendees to tour their new attractions.
Maureen Kinsey, of Northeast Philadelphia, told the Herald that she visits Wildwood four times a summer with her family and intends to make this new block one of her frequent stops.
“I have three grandchildren who I bring to the Boardwalk all the time. I plan to bring them here,” she said. “It’s a great idea for these new businesses to do something like this to let the public know what they are all about. You’ll definitely see me here again.”
Regarding one of the new businesses, Kinsey said:
“Anyone who has never had a sausage, pepper and onion sandwich at one of the Hot Spot’s, can’t really say that they’ve ever experienced the Boardwalk.”
That new business is actually the sixth incarnation of one of the most successful, iconic, family-run eateries on the Boardwalk. According to a release, the Hot Spots have been operating for over 30 years.
“This new location is the farthest we have expanded to the north and we are very pleased to be a part of such a high-energy block,” said Haroula Papazoglou, one of the owners.
The other new restaurant on the block, Capt’n Jacks, is described as a “throwback, island-themed, family-friendly, laidback dining experience.” The restaurant, owned and operated by the partnership behind Stewart’s of Wildwood, has seating for over 100 on two floors with views of the Boardwalk and piers.
Capt’n Jacks is one of the establishments on the Boardwalk in Wildwood that has applied for a liquor license under a new city regulation. So there will be fun to be had by the whole family, not just the kids but moms and dads as well.
It’ll join Adam’s Restaurant in the Montego Bay Resort and Ocean Oasis Water Resort and Joe’s Fish Co. on Morey’s Surfside Pier as some of the few places on the Boardwalk to enjoy a cocktail. Morey’s Jumbos Restaurant at Mariners Landing Pier is also slated for alcoholic beverage service.
Finally, the Palace of Sweets is literally that. The new building actually looks like a palace or castle and is definitely a throwback to the grander days of seaside attractions
“I like buildings that are special,” said Bob Masterson, former CEO of Ripley Entertainment, of Believe it or Not and wax museum fame, and chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.” And this building is special.”
He said his architectural staff studied designs from buildings popular in the Boardwalk’s past and came up with something reminiscent of that era.
In addition to 75 varieties of candy, the Palace also brings two unique attractions to the area. Visitors can enjoy a mirror maze created by world-renowned British designer Adrian Fisher, famous for his hedge and corn mazes.
“There’s nothing like this maze in the world,” Masterson said.
In addition, the Palace also has a Mission Impossible-like maze challenge in which visitors try to maneuver through laser maze like Tom Cruise did in his blockbuster movies.
Masterson said he has visited more than 100 countries in his years in the amusement industry, but decided on the Wildwoods as a place to open a business in his retirement.
“Its classic seaside landscape and culture is unique in the world and reminds me of the hay day of places like Coney Island,” he said. “ The Wildwoods know what they have is special and have given me the confidence to invest.”
Masterson told the Herald he was an old family friend of Morey brothers Will and Jack, originally working with their father in the early 1980s on a Ripley’s attraction on Mariner’s Landing.
He said the Morey family knows how to do it right.
“We are exceedingly pleased to work with tenants that invest in the long term,” Jack Morey said in a release. “We thank the Boardwalk Special Improvement District and the City of Wildwood for their vision in creating design guidelines that encourage these kinds of investments.”