Shopping Local This Holiday Season
Tinsel is hung; lights are strung.
We’re already loving Christmas at the OC.
Feast of seven fishes are being prepared. We already had a fantastic employee party here at the OC and Ship Bottom’s “Great White Christmas” parade was a good time for all. We always look forward to the holidays on LBI and the mainland.
Shopping can certainly be a grind. We try to keep that in mind at the Old Causeway, offering drink specials to calm your nerves. But when it’s all said and done, isn’t it worth it to see our friends and family enjoying the gifts we worked so hard to get under that tree?
We feel it’s really important to keep our shopping mostly local, especially this time of year. Our off season is long and patronizing LBI-based businesses is a fantastic way to support our unique retailers. So, in addition to the apparel from our own eateries, here are a few of our favorite spots to shop around the holidays.
Jetty
Our longtime friends at Jetty are prepped for the holidays at their flagship store in Manahawkin.
Yes, our old pals at Jetty know how to make the season bright.
Jetty was started right here by local boys, in the same spirit that we did and we’ve been working with them for 13 years, hosting events, celebrating our shared culture and most importantly partnering on events that serve to bring the community and support those in need. They’re known for embracing the challenges of bipolar seasons, the fickle ocean, and learning to thrive on it while embracing our regional roots. They’ve set an example by searching for the balance between backyard ramp sessions, surf trips, chasing fish, seeing great bands, and scoring the next swell with work ethic and community involvement.
Jetty has the gear for the elements this season.
Several years ago, they opened a phenomenal Flagship Store on Route 9 adjacent to Jetty Headquarters. The current line of winter wear looks fantastic with warm flannels, beanies, soft hoodies, lined pants, and sweaters. Saturday, December 15 is their annual Holiday Event where everything is 20 percent off.
Sink or Swim
Sink R Swim reopens each year for Thanksgiving weekend for holiday shopping.
After 30 years in business on Long Beach Island, the Stefanos Restaurant Group added the Sink R Swim Men's Shop into the family. Sink R Swim continues to be an iconic fixture on Long Beach Island, dedicated to outfitting generations of men on and off the water. They are committed to creating a lasting experience for visitors and locals alike.
Sink R Swim is not just a summertime spot for watermen. Sam DiPietro reopens the store Thanksgiving weekend and stays open through the shopping season for all of your holiday needs. Sam carries brands like Howler Bros, United by Blue, Reyn Spooner, Stance, and Smathers & Branson. This will be their last weekend and they will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Swell Colors
SwellColors in Surf City is a treasure of local artwork.
Local art is our favorite. Many years back, our good friend Mary Tantillo had a decision to make. She had a steady job in the pharmaceutical industry but chose instead to follow her dream of becoming an artist on LBI. She makes custom stained glass and sea glass in her SwellColors studio in Surf City with the emphasis on custom. Everything is inspired by her love of the outdoors and our Island environment.
The best part is that Mary is open to sharing her craft, offering countless classes all year long – Sea glass, fused glass, mosaics, glass beads. Gift certificates for these classes make fantastic holiday presents.
Farias
Farias is all lit up for the shopping season.
What can we say about our good friends, the Farias Family? Over forty years ago, Vince and Michele Farias started a beach rental business out of a small garage in Surf City. They spent the summers on Long Beach Island and knew first-hand what vacationers and renters would need. The Farias surf and beach shop business grew as fast as their family and roots on Long Beach Island. Their three children, Stacey, Brian and Christy, soon joined the family operation. Today, the Farias’ children and grandchildren share Vince and Michelle’s passion for the LBI community, surfing, beach living and the coastal environment.
Today Jesse, Gary and the rest of the Farias staff focuses on personalized customer service, top quality products and a welcoming, family vibe. This holiday season, the flagship store is open every day with the best in gear and apparel. You can even pop in the Grom shop across the street. And Sarah Jordan has Five O Six Surf Boutique open on weekends for womens’ coastal inspired fashion.
Our restaurant apparel is like giving the gift of summer. Photo: Ryan Johnson
Once the holidays are over, it’s a long run to summer. And we all know how much summer means – drinks on the deck at the Whale, rocking bands at the OC, Parker’s Sunset, lunch on the beach from Ship Bottom Shellfish, and evenings on the patio of Mud City.
We want to offer a way for you to give something that reminds your loved ones that summer’s on the way. It may be off in the distance, but it’s coming. In addition to the apparel at Old Causeway, we recently launched our online store.
Here you’ll find all the fantastic apparel and accessories from styling long sleeves to soft tees for summer.
We also sell our world famous Mud City Crabcakes online - 5 oz. crab cakes, homemade with all Jumbo Lump and Lump crabmeat, just enough seasoning to hold them together. Some of the finest crab cakes on the coast. We make ‘em freeze ‘em and ship ‘em to you.
Then there’s the foolproof gift card. We have cards for the Black Whale and Shellfish which open in the spring, Parker’s Garage, which opens for summer and a combo Mud City/Old Causeway card (OC is open year round and Mud City is an eight-month operation.)
And if you order by Dec. 20, you’ll have them wrapped and under the tree for Christmas.
Most importantly, we want to take this opportunity to wish all of our extended restaurant families and patrons a wonderful holiday season full of love, snowflakes, giving, and fresh fish.