Views from the Shore
By Brian Cahill
Ever since I joined the Board of the Somers Point Business Association, I’ve spent a lot of time promoting and supporting small businesses. So, when I saw the Ocean Casino Resort was incorporating small businesses into their Holiday festivities this year, I had to go check it out.
Ocean recently opened its aptly named “The Holiday Village at the Row,” a variety of vendors lined the festively decorated hallway leading to the incredibly popular Santa’s Hideaway Adventure. (Sidenote: the excitement of watching families eagerly anticipating an elevator ride to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus is truly magical). I spent time admiring the creative work of Samantha Carell whose work has been recognized internationally, with exhibitions in Paris, Madrid, Miami, and New York, among others.
Another one of the vendors was Sea Isle-based Hank Sauce, a locally owned business founded by college friends who wanted to create “the-hot-sauce-for-people-who-don’t-really-like-hot-sauce.” There were also a variety of vendors selling heath & beauty items, jewelry, collectibles, and holiday treats, ornaments, & décor. All representatives were friendly and informative and the products were festive and unique.
My final stop was at the Middletown-based “2 Chicks with Chocolate,” and while the treats looked delicious, it was the outgoing and friendly nature of the salesman that caught my attention, and made a lasting impression on me.
His name is Ryan Chinchilla, the 12-year-old son of the store’ owner, Elyissia Chincilla. Ryan greeted me with a friendly hello, as me how my evening as going and reached out to shake my hand (a real firm grip too!). When most kids his age are looking down at their phone, Ryan was looking at me straight in the eye with sincerity and purpose. I asked his father if he was always like this and he said yes, and in fact, Ryan has participated in many shows like Ocean’s and he was even featured in a segment on Fox out of NYC because others have noticed how unique he is.
A customer came by to pick up a gift he had purchased earlier, and I asked him if he noticed what I did about Ryan. He replied “I sure did. It’s because of him that I bought it,” said Tony, an Ocean Casino Resort team member. “Ryan is going to do great things. He is knowledgeable about everything he is selling. There is a special aura about him – it’s as if he is 20 years beyond his age.”
When he’s not charming customers, Ryan likes to go fishing and ride his bike with his small group of friends. I asked him if he preferred to hang out in person with a few of his friends rather than on social media with thousands, he said, “I sure do. The smaller the circle, the better the people.” These words of wisdom coming from any 7th grader would’ve seemed odd, but from Ryan, it was perfectly natural.
Ocean’s Holiday Village at The Row is open for shopping every Saturday through December 21. I highly recommend taking a stroll to enjoy the shopping and all of the holiday experiences at Ocean. And, if you see Ryan, shake his hand and say hello. Trust me, it’s an experience you’ll treasure for a long time.
For more information on Ocean Casino Resort’s Holiday Village visit https://www.theoceanac.com/offers/oceans-holiday-village
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He is also on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.
