Guest column by Lisa Klassman
Well, look who’s making headlines!
Atlantic City caught the attention of The New York Times, and as someone who lives here, I couldn’t be happier to see it.
On Nov. 6, journalist Rachel Wharton published a real estate feature examining Atlantic City’s housing market and its potential appeal to second-home buyers.
My first thought? It’s about time someone took another look at Atlantic City!
Don’t get me wrong. I love that people visit for the casinos, entertainment, restaurants, beaches and, of course, our famous Boardwalk. Those attractions are part of what makes Atlantic City special.
But there’s another side of this town that doesn’t always make the headlines.
It’s the neighborhood restaurants where owners remember your name. It’s the small businesses working hard to keep their doors open year-round. It’s the people who live here, raise families here and genuinely care about the city’s future.
That’s the Atlantic City I wish more people knew.
A little national attention never hurts
Let’s face it. Atlantic City has experienced its share of ups and downs.
But when a publication like The New York Times takes an interest in the city’s housing market and future, people pay attention.
Perhaps that’s exactly what Atlantic City needs: more people looking beyond the casinos and recognizing the neighborhoods, local businesses, history and incredible ocean views that make this a community.
For years, second-home buyers at the Jersey Shore have gravitated toward Ocean City, Margate, Ventnor and Cape May. Atlantic City hasn’t always been at the top of that list.
Could that be changing? It’s certainly a conversation worth having.
More than meets the eye
Over the years, I’ve met countless business owners, restaurant operators, shopkeepers and entrepreneurs who pour their hearts into what they do. They’re the people who give Atlantic City its personality.
And there’s something special about living near the ocean.
You can grab coffee at a neighborhood café, walk along the Boardwalk, enjoy dinner at a wonderful restaurant or simply sit on the beach watching the waves roll in.
Sometimes, when you live here, you forget how fortunate you are to have all of that right outside your door.
Of course, Atlantic City isn’t perfect. Some neighborhoods need attention, businesses need support and challenges remain.
But acknowledging those realities doesn’t diminish the positive things happening here. If anything, it makes the people working to improve Atlantic City even more important.
Why this story matters
What excited me most about seeing Atlantic City featured in The New York Times wasn’t necessarily the real estate angle. It was the opportunity for people across the country to see our city differently.
Maybe someone reads the article and decides to spend a weekend here. Perhaps they explore a neighborhood they’ve never visited, discover a locally owned restaurant or stop into a small shop.
Maybe someone who never considered living in Atlantic City begins to think about it differently.
That’s how perceptions change.
One newspaper article won’t solve every problem or transform a city overnight. But national attention can open doors, spark conversations and encourage people to see a familiar destination in a new light.
For those who have believed in Atlantic City through both its successes and struggles, that matters.
A city worth believing in
I’ve always believed Atlantic City has more to offer than many people realize.
We have the ocean, history, entertainment, restaurants and, most importantly, a community of people who care deeply about this place.
We also have work to do. And that’s OK.
What excites me is the possibility that more people are beginning to recognize what those of us who call Atlantic City home have known for years.
Atlantic City is more than a place to spend a weekend. It’s a place to build a life, create memories and become part of a community.
So thank you to Rachel Wharton and The New York Times for bringing Atlantic City into the national conversation.
And to Atlantic City, keep moving forward. There are plenty of people rooting for you.
The spotlight looks good on you, AC!
Lisa Klassman is an Atlantic City resident and director of communications for the Greater Atlantic City Concierge Association. She also founded Sugar Posh blog, which highlights businesses and experiences throughout the Jersey Shore.
