Jersey Shore businesses see economic boom, despite inflation and new tax hike

Although beach towns have been booming with business, restaurant and shop owners are still making up for their losses post COVID-19, especially since the recent tax increase that took place on July 1.

News 12 Staff

Jul 10, 2022, 9:51 PM

Updated 817 days ago

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Some Jersey Shore businesses are building momentum this summer amid sky-high prices, recession fears and a new tax hike.
News 12 New Jersey spent Sunday on the Jersey Shore boardwalks, from Asbury Park to Point Pleasant, surveying business and tourism. It found that due to inflation, they were filled with aggravated beach goers.
Some said the prices of food were higher than usual. However, despite the high prices, businesses along the shore said it doesn't stop people from coming.
"People come to Asbury for Pucker, for their sausage sandwiches," said Brittany Spirito, chef manager of Pucker's Lemonade. "If people want it, they'll come and get it."
One family who visited from Canada, despite the high gas prices, said their trip was worth it because the shore offers great food and great service.
Although beach towns have been booming with business, restaurant and shop owners are still making up for their losses post COVID-19, especially since the recent tax increase that took place on July 1.
The increase was designed to help the state pay back the money it borrowed from the federal government for unemployment benefits. Many business owners said that they didn't even know about it.
“I didn't know anything about it. Why would our government do such a thing? They work for us. We don’t work for them, and we need to stand firm on not taxing the small businesses,” said Robin Mennie, co-owner of River Street Sweet Treats.
“Honestly, in the state of New Jersey, I'm not surprised. I just wish that maybe they could give us small business owners who are still really recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic a bit of a break,” said Tom Dunphy, owner of Mutiny BBQ.
For many stores and eateries along the shore, the July 4 holiday and days after also brought in some big money as they are a big economic driver for businesses.