Power restored to three boardwalk pavilions
McLoone's, Watermark aim to open by end of week
In a key step toward reopening businesses on the boardwalk, electric power was restored to three oceanfront pavilions on Monday.
For the first time since Hurricane Sandy, the lights were on at McLoone’s Asbury Grille in the Fifth Avenue pavilion as shown at top last night. Also turned on were the Ocean Ave. streetlights from McLoone’s to the Empress Hotel [right].
McLoone’s owner Tim McLoone says he hopes to have the restaurant open by Thursday or Friday. McLoone, a singer and pianist, says he and his band “The Shirleys” are scheduled to perform there on Saturday.
“Now that the power is on, we can fully test our equipment,” said McLoone. “We need about 24 hours to see if it can hold its temperatures.”
“If we can get the proper permits [Tuesday], we can open on Thursday, or hopefully Friday at the latest,” he said. “I plan to play there with my band on Saturday.”
The hurricane left 1.5 feet of sand in the first floor of McLoone’s, and wiped out the first floor kitchen, McLoone previously told the Sun. However, the second floor entertainment area and full kitchen there were largely untouched, he said.
In addition to the Fifth Avenue pavilion, JCP&L restored electric power to the pavilions at Third and Fourth avenues.
Meanwhile, the First Avenue pavilion, the one closest to the Casino building, is expected to receive power on Tuesday, according to Russell Lewis, owner of the Watermark Lounge, who has been speaking to JCP&L officials. Located on the second floor of the First Avenue pavilion, Watermark sustained minimal damage.
“JCP&L started at the Fifth Avenue pavilion and went down the boardwalk [turning on the power], but when they got to the First Avenue pavilion, they realized a transformer needed to be replaced,” Lewis said.
“JCP&L ordered a transformer and the plan is to come [Tuesday] with a crane to install it. By the end of the day Tuesday, the First Avenue pavilion could have power,” he said.
Anticipating restored power, an inspection is scheduled for Wednesday to check that Watermark’s HVAC system and natural gas service are working properly, said Lewis. If that’s confirmed, Lewis says he’ll reopen on Friday.
Other restaurants in the pavilions, such as Stella Marina, Cubacan and Langosta Lounge sustained heavier damage and remain closed. However, Gary Mottola, president of investments for boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette, earlier this month told the Sun he hoped to have all the boardwalk restaurants open by Christmas.
Marilyn Schlossbach, an owner of Langosta Lounge, has regrouped her operation across the street in her Dauphin Grille in the Berkeley Hotel, which is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and breakfast on the weekends.
Convention Hall had an official reopening on Saturday with a capacity crowd attending the tree lighting ceremony. For a photo album of the event click here. For video, click here.
A “Holiday Bazaar” with 18 boardwalk retailers and a full-service bar in Convention Hall’s Grand Arcade will be open until Christmas every Friday 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m.
