Bayside boardwalk almost complete
By: Valerie Lonkart
As the saying goes, everything in life is temporary, and like many New Jersey coastal towns, Margate has seen plenty of changes over the years. From the bayberry bushes that covered the island in the 1940s to the first John Mahoney home built in the 1950s, the evolution has been a steady one, bringing about beach cottages, yearly homes, and beach front condos. There have been pet boutiques, clothing boutiques, bars, and restaurants galore. The town has seen a boardwalk come and mother nature take that same boardwalk away.
Amherst Avenue, between Coolidge and Washington Avenues, has certainly seen its fair share of change as well. Many will remember the days when the strip was referred to as the Barbary Coast, filled with local haunts Gable’s, which served up bands and beer in the back and Kelly’s Pub in the front. At some point, Gable’s turned into dance club Polo Bay. While the location is the same, everything else about the corner of Amherst and Washington is different, with Tomatoe’s now serving some of the best sushi on the island and offering an upscale bar scene and dancing.
While Maynard’s still looks and feels the same, right down to the orange booths and pool tables, the addition of the Garden Cafe brings a whole new generation of fans to this family eatery that offers live music, a Sunday Brunch, and Happy Hour Specials.
Live music venue Merrill’s turned Gilhooley’s is now Sophia’s, an upscale Greek and Mediterranean restaurant. And of course, the famed Strotbeck’s became the equally famous Steve & Cookie’s
As the bar scene has evolved into a fine dining scene, the bay side of Amherst Avenue has changed, too. There’s Junior’s Doughnuts and Dogs and Sprinklz2 of Margate. And don’t forget about the Aqua Park. Amherst Avenue is now one way between Washington and Coolidge, with ample parking on both sides and a wide bike lane on the right.
Coming soon, Amherst Avenue will have a promenade, an elevated walkway that stretches from Coolidge Avenue to the Washington Avenue Pier. The pathway gives walkers a safe place to stroll as they sip their morning coffee, check out the boats docked in the marinas, or settle in on a bench at the bay for South Jersey’s magnificent sunsets.
Margate Commissioner of Public Safety John Amodeo said that after numerous delivery delays, the city is expecting the final shipment of lumber from Brazil within the coming weeks. Once it arrives, workers can complete the promenade, hopefully by mid-September, when the city hopes to have a ribbon cutting ceremony. It is currently about 90% complete, said Amodeo.
“We are really excited for the promenade,” said Margate Business Association Executive Director Anna Maria Blescia-Courter. “Fall funfest will really highlight that area and all its natural beauty.”
The promenade, which will be complete with railings, access ramps, and lighting, has been part of a much larger project, one that involves the completion of a new bulkhead. According to Amodeo, the bulkhead failures beginning in 2010 along Amherst Avenue between Coolidge and Washington Avenues caused the street to collapse. The city came together with local business owners along the bay to build the new bulkhead, which was phase one of the project.
Photos by
Tom Briglia/Photographics
A former educator, Valerie is a long-time South Jersey resident. She spent over 20 years in the classroom teaching students English and Writing at the middle school and college levels. Prior to working in education, Valerie worked as a professional writer and editor in Washington, D.C. Valerie currently resides in Margate, NJ with her husband and two teenage kids. When not walking the beach with her puppy, she can be found teaching yoga on the island.
