CAPE MAY POINT — If you want a bottle of water or an ice cream sandwich while you’re on the beach here, you have to walk to Sunset Beach or drive to West Cape May.
It’s unknown when the borough’s only business, Cape May General Store will reopen following water damage several years ago.
Borough Commission introduced an ordinance March 11 to allow two vendors to sell packaged ice cream, water, water ice and soft pretzels on the beach.
The ordinance would allow one vendor on Brainard Beach and one vendor on St. Peter’s Beach. “The same person, partnership, company, corporation, Limited Liability Company or any other entity cannot own both licenses,” notes the ordinance.
Regulations for the two vendors include:
•Each vendor shall be permitted one vending table attached to which may be one sign no greater than three feet by three feet in measurement which sign must include language indicating that trash must be returned to the vendor for disposal.
•There must be a trash receptacle at the vending site and all trash must be removed from the beach at the end of each day.
• A maximum of two umbrellas, for sun protection only, shall be permitted at the table.
• The table cannot breach the dune area but must be located at the toe of the dune away from the area inhabited by the general public.
•There shall be no solicitation of beach goers.
•There will be no vending on the beaches except between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5: p.m. daily, including Sundays and holidays.
A public hearing of the ordinance is scheduled for April 8 at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the fire hall.
Last year, Commissioner Joe Nietubicz suggested allowing a few storage boxes on the beach for chairs, umbrellas and other supplies for residents. He told the Herald the borough would try a handful of beach boxes this summer as a trial run.
Nietubicz said the borough would see how the boxes look on the beach and also gauge public opinion. He said a survey of property owners last fall indicated the project was worthwhile to pursue.
Borough Commission will hold a lottery to determine who gets use of the beach boxes at its June meeting.
