Seasonal businesses in Ocean City's downtown, which had just started to recover from the recession, were among the worst hit.
Michele Gillian of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce explains, "It was devastating. We have pictures where there was two to three feet of water in each location throughout the downtown. And really, 9th to 6th street, it was hit a little bit more."
But as Memorial Day approaches, those businesses are back. And many are offering post-Sandy specials to bring wary shoppers back to the Shore.
Gillian adds, "There are Sandy storm specials. They're throughout the city and it's to celebrate that we're open, we survived Sandy, come and see for yourself. We hope that you shop, dine, stay over for the weekend to get ready for the summer."
Island Beach Gear will take 10% off a single item if you mention you saw this story on Action News. The Coral Sands Motel is offering any three nights over Memorial Day weekend for $329, and the Ocean Front Motel has a similar deal for $369. To relax, you can take 10% off at Sea Wave Massage or Massage Mend Me .
And Ocean City isn't alone.
Many towns on Long Beach Island also suffered a lot of damage, but Lori Pepenella of the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce says owners began repair work as soon as they were allowed back in.
"The business community was right on board," Pepenella said. "We were repairing and recovering the minute we were allowed back onto the island and it's been a very quick and steady pace that we've been able to get businesses open and to recover and to bring people back throughout the year."
Among the post-Sandy deals on LBI, the Dutchman's Brauhaus has a Buy One, Get One Sunday dinner coupon in the local paper each week. And the Chicken or the Egg is offering a $3.99 breakfast special.
The Gables will take 25% off rooms for visitors whose homes were damaged by the storm. And Windward at the Beach is offering a variety of discounts, including 30% off three-night stays in June, and 20% off four night stays for the Fourth of July.
In Atlantic City, the major tourist spots were spared by Sandy, but the number of visitors is still down.
Jeffrey Vasser of the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority says, "Our issues are more about perception than reality. Since Hurrican Sandy back in the fall, a lot of people have felt that our Boardwalk was demolished, that some of our amusements have been floating throughout the ocean, but it's not true. Our boardwalk is intact, all of our businesses are open and were open just a couple of days after the storms."
So, in Atlantic City, as well, businesses are offering deals to entice visitors.
Among the them: free walking tours of the boardwalk, coupon books from the Tanger Outlets, and numerous restaurant and hotel discounts and bonuses.
Vasser explains, "A lot of the restaurants and lounges in Atlantic City are offering specials. The hotels, the B&Bs in the surrounding area, they're offering specials and even our attractions. The one I like the most is Ripley's Believe it or Not, anyone named 'Sandy' will get in for free.
Click here for a list of deals in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Click here for a list of Ocean City, New Jersey specials.
Click here for a list of Long Beach Island specials.
