Surfboards are out. Yoga mats are in — at least on the corner of 9th and Asbury in Ocean City.
Lululemon has announced their intentions of opening a new retail location in Ocean City’s downtown shopping district.
The athleisure giant is setting up shop at 761 Asbury Ave., taking over the former Ron Jon Surf Shop location. So, if you’ve been dreaming of upgrading your boardwalk strolls with some buttery-soft yoga pants, your moment is coming.
“This is a huge win for both Ocean City and Lululemon,” said Kristina Doliszny of the Ocean City Real Estate Group, who brokered the deal. “It’s a game changer for the entire shopping district year-round.”
Ron Jon, which turned three storefronts into an anchor location back in 2018, recently shifted its focus to a larger store in Ship Bottom. In a statement, Ron Jon Surf Shop said, “We would like to thank the residents of Ocean City for welcoming us and thank our Ocean City team for their loyalty and commitment.”
Enter Lululemon, ready to make its mark with a “destination store” in the heart of Ocean City’s retail hub.
Lululemon has not provided a specific date, but released a statement that the store will open later this summer. Lululemon spokespeople have not answered media requests for comment.
Popular across multiple sectors, from tween girls to active, older women, Lululemon will likely perform well in its first year on the island, and beyond. Athleisure wear has trended on Tiktok since 2020, and specific Lululemon products like the scuba hoodie have sold out in previous years.
This will be Lululemon’s second Jersey Shore outpost—the Avalon location has been a crowd favorite for a decade. While company reps are staying mum on specific plans for the Ocean City shop, their CEO has big goals, with the Vancouver-based brand planning a 10% increase in store space across the Americas this year.
Lululemon’s decision to open in Ocean City marks a notable shift in the town’s cultural landscape, signaling the rising trend of upscale, health-conscious brands along the Jersey Shore.
Whether you’re hitting the beach, the boardwalk, or a barre class, Lululemon’s arrival promises to keep you looking stylish, even if your summer workouts consist mostly of walking to the ice cream stand. Stay tuned—leggings season is about to get a lot more luxe.
