Boardwalkin’ in December brings different view of OC

Picturing the Ocean City Boardwalk as December rolls along conjures a scene ripe for tumbleweeds, should the climate allow, but looking more closely, some form of the July juggernaut still exists and isn’t too hard to find.

The rides are closed, the pier is closed and many of the shops and restaurants are closed. But some are open and continue, as they have in the past, to have different reasons for that. Not all are to serve the public at present, but as Internet commerce begins to find a handhold in the region and next summer is always just around the corner, some businesses are taking the time to prepare, to plan and even to relax themselves.

For example, the arcades are open, usually. Marty’s Playland keeps a skeleton crew aboard and is open nearly every day this month. Sportland opens too, but keeps a less formal schedule.

“Every quarter dropped hits a wire, so eventually those wires need to be replaced,” Playland supervisor Jeff Jankowski said. “We don’t do a lot of business every day, but it’s usually enough to pay the electric bill.”

More