N. Wildwood Awards 1st Ice Cream Vending ‘Contract’

NORTH WILDWOOD – North Wildwood City Council Feb. 21 awarded the first contract under a bid system for beach ice cream sales.
Aladdin’s Beach Enterprises LLC, of Bellmawr, was the highest bidder, at $140,000, for the 2023 summer season. The decision to put the beach ice cream vending licenses out to bid was made in November 2022, when Mayor Patrick Rosenello said existing license holders would still be able to sell ice cream until they retired.
City Clerk Scott Jett said in November 2022 that the 10 licenses, which were limited to military veterans and volunteer firefighters, cost between $800 and $900 each. The city was advised it could anticipate a significantly higher amount of revenue by putting the license out to bid.
In November 2022, it was said that the city intended to put up to four licenses out to bid, which could be purchased as a block.
Ordinance 1891, which authorized the new licensing system, required that the successful bidder be a military veteran or a member of the Anglesea Volunteer Fire Company or North Wildwood Fire Company.
Aladdin’s business partner, Jeffrey Cunningham, provided proof of military service. Aladdin’s was also required to provide a disclosure of business activities in Russia, Belarus, and Iran and other documents.