Ocean City Party Planned For Surfside Casual Founders, America 250

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City residents and visitors are invited to a free community celebration July 3 at SandHouse Kitchen that will mark America’s 250th anniversary and honor Larry and Dorothy Himmelstein, founders of Surfside Casual Furniture. The event is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 9 Beach Road, according to a news release.

The party will recognize the couple’s 90-plus birthdays and their long business history in the region. Larry Himmelstein was born July 3, 1929, and Dorothy Himmelstein was born June 23, 1933, according to the announcement. Family, friends, customers and other community members are invited to attend.

The announcement says complimentary Penn State University (PSU) ice cream will be available July 3 and July 4 for PSU alumni, veterans and current armed service members, while supplies last. Larry and Dorothy Himmelstein are also expected to arrive in Larry’s 1929 Model A Woody, a car from the year of his birth.

The couple met while studying at Penn State University and graduated in 1952 and 1954, respectively, according to the announcement. They married Aug. 29, 1952, and honeymooned in Ocean City. During the Korean War, Larry Himmelstein was drafted into the Army, and after his return worked for the City of Philadelphia as director of air pollution, according to the announcement. Dorothy Himmelstein used her master’s degree in library science from Drexel University while founding GE’s library in Philadelphia.

The Himmelsteins bought their first house in Ocean City in 1962. After Larry Himmelstein’s retirement from the City of Philadelphia, they expanded their local business interests, operating the Sun Aqua Motel since 1976 and founding Surfside Casual Furniture in 1981, according to the announcement.

Today, Surfside Casual Corporation, operating as Surfside Casual Furniture and 7Mile Design, has locations in Somers Point, Manahawkin, Egg Harbor Township and Stone Harbor, according to the announcement. The family said the business is now in its third generation, with operations turned over to grandsons Stefen, Evan and Brennan Himmelstein. The announcement also says a Fort Myers, Florida, location is planned to open in October 2026.

For the July 3 event, the family said the public is welcome. More information is available by calling 609-927-4000 or visiting SurfsideCasualFurniture.com.