'It's A Relief': Ocean City Arcades Prepare To Open For Summer

OCEAN CITY, NJ — New Jersey amusement businesses, including those on Ocean City's boardwalk, have campaigned for Governor Phil Murphy to let their establishments reopen. Now that arcades can reopen July 2 — along with amusement parks and other attractions — people in the industry can feel reassured that they can operate for much of this summer.

Murphy announced Wednesday that indoor recreation facilities can reopen July 2. That includes arcades along boardwalks, bowling alleys, batting cages and shooting ranges, which all can operate at 25 percent capacity on that date.

Jody Levchuk, director of operations at JiLLy's Stores, has been preparing JiLLy's Arcade for this day. They've installed many sanitizing stations throughout the arcade. And he'll turn off some of the less popular games so people can space out from each other.

Large retail stores can't sanitize every product that's been touched, but arcades can, Levchuk says.

"If you want to compare what preparations we’re doing, we’re certainly going above and beyond any store that’s been considered essential and open throughout this entire thing," he said.

Levchuk serves on the executive board for the New Jersey Attractions Association, an organization uniting New Jersey's amusement industries. The NJAA put together a document of "Safe Play" reopening guidelines.

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Arcades haven't received guidance from the state yet on reopening, Levchuck said Thursday afternoon. But he doesn't think the state's recommendations will be very different from the "Safe Play" guidelines.

"I appreciate that the governor’s office trusts the Amusement Association and trusts the documents we put forth and trusts that business owners and the public will do the right thing and be mindful," said Levchuk, who will begin July 1 as an Ocean City councilman.

Boardwalk businesses faced uncertainty before Murphy set a reopening date. The Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Association surveyed their members earlier this month and found that 65 percent of local boardwalk merchants said business is down at least 50 percent.

Every merchant surveyed said they would be negatively impacted if the state required amusement parks to remain closed. Read more: Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Call On Gov. Murphy To Reopen NJ

The opening dates give boardwalk businesses a chance to salvage some of their seasonal window.

"We can't wait until you all can fully enjoy all that the Boardwalk has to offer," the OCBMA said. "We urge all visitors to follow all local, state and CDC guidelines when visiting Boardwalk shops, restaurants and amusement facilities."

Ocean City arcades have been getting ready for the day Murphy would allow them to reopen. Levchuk already had his marketing and promotional materials ready to go. All he needed was a date.

"It’s a relief that we can at least open our doors," Levchuk said.

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