Business at the Belmar boardwalk is off to a rough start Saturday thanks to chilly temperatures and cloudy skies keeping visitors away.

Many businesses rely on the usually booming Labor Day weekend to carry them through the long fall and winter seasons.

"Unfortunately last year on this day it was busy, 85 and perfect weather," says Joe Connors, of Taylor's Hardware. "Obviously the beach is not crowded and we are married to mother nature."

Tom Rogers, owner of TR's Food Court, says that his business has been around long enough to make a disappointing end to the season work, should the weather remain how it is.

Rogers says Labor Day shouldn't mark the end of big business weekends on the shore. He says the beaches are clean and the water is still warm in September and October, but crowds don't show up.

The smaller crowds who did come out to the beach Saturday were decked out in jackets and sweatshirts to fight the ocean breeze.

Residents are now crossing their fingers for a positive forecast to come through on Monday, when conditions are expected to be clear with highs in the 80s.

Larger crowds would also mean even more help for Harvey victims as well. Belmar is hoping to make a big push Monday, when visitors won't be charged to use the beach or park, to fill 20 boxes with donations for the town of Rockport in Texas.