Labor Day is usually the last hurrah of summer for many Jersey Shore towns and businesses, but first the weather has to cooperate.
Areas like the downtown business district in Manasquan are already seeing an uptick in business Thursday thanks to sunny skies, but the coming days could see some rain.
Businesses hope for a good forecast because even the threat of rain will keep visitors from coming down and shopping on such an important weekend.
Pam Patella, owner of art and home décor store Yellow Daisy, says her ideal forecast is cloudy and overcast because it will bring visitors who will be more inclined to shop.
"We count on this three-day weekend and count on it to carry us through the rest of September and rest of season," says Patella.
But for some businesses, rain doesn't put a damper on their sales. Top That Donuts in Point Pleasant Beach sometimes sees increased business when people want to get indoors to escape inclement weather.
A Manasquan beach manager says visitor numbers are on par with last year so far, but a wet weekend would put their figures behind. They are hoping for some sun after back-to-back years of Labor Day weekend washouts.