NEW The Point Wildwood Tiki Bar – Goodbye Ocean Sands Motel

A new Tiki Bar will be coming to the Wildwoods soon!

Back in October GMH Restaurant Holdings IV, LLC, submitted an application to the Planning/Zoning Board of the City of Wildwood, New Jersey, to bring a Tiki Bar to the island under the name “The Point.”

NEW The Point Wildwood Tiki Bar – Goodbye Ocean Sands Motel

The name “The Point” may sound familiar as there are two other locations, one in Sea Isle City and Somers Point. GMH Restaurant Holdings is the owner of those other two locations and have decided to bring this chain to the Wildwoods.

The Point’s origins trace back to 2019 when it initially opened its doors in Somers Point. In 2021, the proprietors acquired the Springfield Inn in Sea Isle, where they promptly razed the existing structure and erected their second establishment.

GMH Restaurant Holdings had purchased the Ocean Sands Motel located on the corner of Garfield and Ocean Avenues a few months ago. This lot is a half block lot which would make this location of “The Point Wildwood,” one of their largest.

The application of the property was pretty straight forward as most of the plans called for outdoor space.

The applicant wants to demolish the existing Motel, build a one story building to the West of the property for a kitchen, storage room and bathroom facilities, three outdoor bars, a stage and four covered seating areas.

Just like their other locations, they will be bringing in fake and real palm trees, truck in new sand and erect a tiki fence around the entire property.

The project also includes provisions for dedicated off-street parking for employees and the creation of additional on-street parking spaces through the removal of an existing curb cut along the Garfield Avenue frontage.

This mostly means that you should be walking to this establishment or park at the parking lot behind it which will be paid parking.

The entrance of the building will be on Garfield Avenue and feature a tiki-like sign with “The Point Wildwood” on it.

In mid-October, the application for The Point Wildwood was approved and now demolition construction can start.

Just like their other locations, this one will be seasonal, mostly due to the bulk of the business being outdoors.

The Wildwood Video Archive was able to obtain the blueprints of the new The Point Wildwood so that we can show you what will be built and where.

The WVA took the blueprints to the current Ocean Sands Motel to film a walking tour so that they can review the blueprints and compare them to what is currently in its place.

Also See: Wildwood Boardwalk Construction BACK ON After Lawsuit

Note: We had been trying to get into contact with the owners of The Point but haven’t been able to get in contact with someone.

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Kane Brown Is Coming to Wildwood – BCMF 2024

The Barefoot Country Music Fest (BCMF) has just announced a major addition to its already star-studded lineup for the 2024 edition.

Multi-Platinum-selling and award-winning singer/songwriter Kane Brown is set to grace the stage at the Fourth Annual Barefoot Country Music Fest, taking place from June 20 to June 23, 2024, in the beautiful beach town of Wildwood, New Jersey.

Kane Brown Is Coming to Wildwood – BCMF 2024

Brown will be joining Luke Bryan and Keith Urban on that weekend of killer Country performers.

Brown, hailed as “the future of country music” by Billboard, has had a meteoric rise in the industry. With a string of chart-topping hits and multi-platinum albums to his name, Brown is a true country music sensation.

Brown has made a significant mark on the country music scene with a string of hit songs that have resonated with fans across the world. His breakthrough self-titled album featured chart-toppers like “Heaven” and “What Ifs,” both achieving multi-platinum status and becoming some of the most-streamed country songs of all time.

His sophomore album, “Experiment,” followed suit with “Lose It” and “Good as You,” solidifying his presence on the charts. Brown’s unique blend of contemporary country and R&B influences has not only earned him critical acclaim but has also garnered a massive and dedicated fanbase who eagerly anticipate his chart-topping singles.

His 10th #1 single at Country radio, “I Can Feel It,” has been setting the airwaves on fire, and he recently announced his 2024 In The Air Headlining Tour. Fans attending the Barefoot Country Music Fest can look forward to an unforgettable performance by this country music icon.

The Barefoot Country Music Fest, which will be held on the beach between the two Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, promises to be an incredible four-day event featuring a lineup of over 40 of the hottest country artists.

The Miller Lite Main Stage will be the center of all the action, and Kane Brown’s electrifying performance is sure to be a highlight of the festival.

If you’re eager to secure your spot at this must-attend event, tickets are available for purchase on the official BCMF website.

For those who like to plan ahead, a payment plan option allows you to lock in your tickets with just a $39 down payment, and no further payments are due until February 1. Act quickly, as the next pricing tier will take effect on Friday, November 10 at 11:59 pm.

Also See: NEW The Point Wildwood Tiki Bar – Goodbye Ocean Sands Motel

The Barefoot Country Music Fest, known as Jersey’s Original Country Music Beach Fest, is not just about music. It’s also about creating an unforgettable experience on the picturesque shores of Wildwood, NJ.

With five stages featuring a unique blend of today’s country headliners, regional stars, up-and-coming talent, and local favorites, this family-friendly festival is the perfect summer vacation destination.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to catch Kane Brown and a lineup of country music’s biggest stars at the Fourth Annual Barefoot Country Music Fest in Wildwood, New Jersey.

Secure your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable four-day celebration of country music by the beach. Visit the official BCMF website for more information and updates about the festival. Get ready for a weekend of incredible music and unforgettable memories!

Ocean Sands Motel Demolition Underway

In a transformative move for Wildwood’s landscape, the iconic Ocean Sands Motel at 3710 Ocean Ave is currently undergoing demolition, paving the way for a vibrant addition to the city’s social scene.

The brains behind this exciting venture are GMH Restaurant Holdings IV, LLC, the same visionary minds responsible for successful Tiki Bar establishments in Sea Isle City and Somers Point. This new venture, aptly named “The Point,” is set to bring its unique charm to the heart of Wildwood.

GMH Restaurant Holdings IV, LLC, submitted an application to the Planning/Zoning Board of the City of Wildwood in October, outlining their plans for “The Point.”

The Point’s inception can be traced back to 2019 when it first welcomed patrons in Somers Point. Two years later, in 2021, the owners extended their venture by acquiring the Springfield Inn in Sea Isle.

After quickly demolishing the Springfield Inn, they could build and open the second “The Point,” by the summer.

Now, with the acquisition of the Ocean Sands Motel, The Point Wildwood is poised to become one of their largest and most exciting locations on a half-block lot.

The proposed plans for the property show that it is an outdoor venue. The blueprint includes three outdoor bars, a stage, and four covered seating areas, creating a dynamic and inviting atmosphere.

The only real building will be to the West which will house kitchen, storage room, and bathroom facilities.

The distinctive Hawaiian touch of The Point will be evident by including fake and real palm trees, new sand trucked in, and a tiki fence encircling the entire property.

Moreover, the project emphasizes outdoor space, aligning with the tropical and laid-back vibe synonymous with Tiki Bars.

Dedicated off-street parking for employees is in the works, alongside the addition of on-street parking spaces by removing an existing curb cut along the Garfield Avenue frontage.

There aren’t many free parking spots available at the property but there are tons of parking in the area including metered parking and lot parking.

The city approved the project in mid-October, setting the stage for demolition in early January.

Construction crews wasted no time, initiating the demolition process on Monday, January 8th.

Ocean Sands Motel Demolition Underway

Day one saw the successful removal of the main lobby, entrance canopy, and the owner’s apartment.

However, construction activities were temporarily halted due to a New Jersey State of Emergency on January 9th. Weather conditions, with gusts exceeding 50mph, posed challenges, though the impact on the island was minimal, with only minor flooding reported.

The Wildwood Video Archive stopped by the demolition on Monday to film a final video of the motel.

Before you watch please consider subscribing to our Youtube channel.

When the 1,500 rose bushes at the Sands Point Preserve succumbed to a virus, property staff decided to uproot the plants to make room for a sensory garden. The garden made its debut in August, two summers later, full of flowering plants selected specifically to attract pollinators and create a relaxing space for visitors.

What was once a bed of roses is now home to echinacea, or coneflowers, enticing butterflies; ornamental grasses attracting small birds; and hydrangeas providing shelter for nesting animals.

“We’re losing these pollinators at a kind of catastrophic rate,” says Signe Nielsen, an architect at the New York-based firm that designed the space, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects.

Nielsen says the plants were chosen in hopes that the garden will aid in the survival of such species.

Sands Point Preserve

WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday trough Saturday ; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 4.127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point; 516-571-7901

COST $15 per car, members free

INFO sandspointpreserveconservancy.org

"If you plant for pollinators, they’ll find their way to the flowers, travel from plant to plant, fertilize other plants and make them healthier for all different species,” Nielsen says.

With its natural appearance, the native garden also provides a sensory experience. Varying fragrances and textures can be found as you walk through.

“You can see the heights and colors of the plants, and the ways they all sway in the breeze differently," Sands Point Preserve executive director Jeremiah Bosgang explains.

Marcel Kazickas, a painter/artist from Sands Point, recently visited the garden for inspiration, describing it as "calming and relaxing."

"I love the layers, textures, height and colors in the garden. They're soft and natural looking. As an artist, I love the lavenders and gorgeous greens. They're like Romeo and Juliet," Kazickas says.

Flowers and plants in the garden were chosen to complement each other throughout the year, with different buds expected to sprout in late fall, spring and summer. “If you know which plants take their turns during each season, you can really orchestrate a symphony of looks, feels and smells,” Bosgang says.

The experience will change come fall. "The dried grasses and dried seed heads in the hydrangeas will begin to rustle in the wind. The dried leaves will still look attractive after the frost,” Nielsen says.

The nature garden’s message travels far beyond the preserve. Those who designed it hope it will inspire families to plant their own nature gardens in their yards, even in the fall. In fact, Bosgang sees nature gardens as a metaphor for diversity among flowers as well as people. “Every plant has its own purpose,” he says, “and they’re living together harmoniously.”

By Cathi Turow

Special to Newsday

Most Popular

POINT PLEASANT BEACH - The White Sands Oceanfront Resort & Spa, one of the borough's landmark hotels, wants to build more rooms, in a proposal that has drawn the opposition of neighbors.

The plan for the Ocean Avenue hotel involves demolishing two houses next door on Washington Avenue and building a three-story addition with 20 rooms on two floors and covered parking on the ground level, said the hotel's attorney Robert C. Shea of Toms River.

A hearing before the borough Zoning Board of Adjustment is scheduled to continue on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

Located closer to the southern end of Ocean Avenue, the Chiaia family has owned it for nearly 30 years.

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The proposal seeks to modernize the hotel and provide aesthetic upgrades, Shea said. "They want to upgrade some of the rooms, provide a more enhanced stay for their guests with a bit larger rooms. A number of suites are included in the new room mix."

The plan requires the board of adjustment's approval of exceptions, or variances, to the town's zoning rules. For instance, a hotel is not allowed in a residential zone and the proposed building height is higher than permitted, according to a report by the board's engineer.

The proposal is being opposed by neighbors. Red Bank lawyer Ronald S. Gasiorowski, who was hired by the residents, said the project requires too many variances.

"This is a major intrusion into the zoning ordinance of Point Pleasant Beach," Gasiorowski said. "They (the hotel owners) will be diminishing the equity of their homes and disturbing their quality of life."

Christina Ranuro, the hotel's owner and general manager, said any decision she makes takes into consideration her neighbors.

Ranuro, a resident of Point Pleasant Beach for 30 years, said she's a part of the community and involved in the life of the town. Both of her children went through the schools. "We care about the town," she said.

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"I think the people think we are some corporate hotel that has no feelings for the town. That couldn't be further from the truth," she said. "The proposal is going to improve that entire corner to a point where they don't even realize how gorgeous it is going to be."

It will meld and blend in, she said. "It is not going to be this cumbersome thing that I think some people are afraid of," she said. "It is just going to be beautiful."

David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for more than 20 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There column and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

The May 23 gala honors philanthropists Ashima and Mike Narula. Gala proceeds to help protect the site's historic buildings and grounds.

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, Local Nonprofit

This year’s Preserver’s Celebration is just days away, as the “Jewels of India” gala committee puts the finishing touches for the May 23 event at Hempstead House at Sands Point Preserve.

This year’s gala honors two dedicated philanthropists and prominent business leaders, Ashima and Mike Narula of Sands Point. Proceeds from the gala will help protect the site’s historic buildings and grounds.

At this festive gala, presented by Syosset-based The Chez-zam Event Group, guests will be treated to a night of traditional Indian culture. The Hempstead House will be transformed for the occasion into a royal Maharaja Palace, complete with a marketplace filled with scarves, teas, spices, flowers and more. Every detail will be tended to, including a white horse decorated in a traditional Baraat costume.

“We are excited to share the beauty of Indian culture and heritage,” said Amrit Sethi, a gala committee chair and founder of the local Happy Montessori.

Entertainment will include a sitar player and tabla percussionist, traditional Indian and Bollywood dancing – and DJ Sharad spinning popular beats. At the Henna Painting station, two artists will be within the tented pavilion, along with other specialty artists.

Find out what's happening in Port Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We are incorporating our history into this one special evening, a tremendous honor on behalf of Ashima and Mike Narula and Sands Point Preserve,” committee member Shaleen Makhijani-Shivasani noted.

As for food and drink, there will be cocktails in the gardens, and inside, guests can enjoy rye and gin tastings in the library and scotch tasting in the billiard room. That’s in addition to an open bar, as well as Indian and American cuisine, catered by the Narula’s chef and Philip Stone respectively. And there will be plenty of sushi.

“This is going to be one fun party – different than the average fundraiser, without being too extravagant,” said Friends of The Sands Point Preserve Chair Karli Hagedorn. “I can’t think of a more exciting theme, and to be guided by people for whom this is their heritage makes it even more meaningful.”

“The evening will help raise attention and funding for the Preserve’s buildings, grounds and growing number of programs for families and cultural arts events,” said Friends’ Executive Director Jean-Marie Posner.

Tickets for the Jewels of India gala are available at www.TheSandsPointPreserve, by phone at (516) 571-7901, and at the Gate House, which is open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 127 Middle Neck Road in Sands Point.

Left to right, first row) Marla Freeman, Karishma Israni, Shaleen Makhijani-Shivdasani, Amrit Sethi, Ved Kawatra, Poonam Sachdev, (Second row) Martha Theodos, Jean-Marie Posner, Maya Rajani, Georgia DeYoung, Neera Chhabra,(Third row)Nikols Garcia, Jackie Johnson, Chris Pierce, Debra Odell, Jana McDonough, Bonnie Zarabi.

Other committee members include: Michele Daniels, Janet Effman, Marcia Forman, Adina Genn, Karli Hagedorn

Carol Hanover, Lisa Lockom, Alicja Malecka, Jodi Manes, Toni Nahas, JoAnn Sica, Jane Stern and Mark Underwood for this year’s Preserver’s Celebration is just days away, as the “Jewels of India” gala committee puts the finishing touches for the May 23 event at Hempstead House at Sands Point Preserve.

This year’s gala honors two dedicated philanthropists and prominent business leaders, Ashima and Mike Narula of Sands Point. Proceeds from the gala will help protect the site’s historic buildings and grounds.

At this festive gala, presented by Syosset-based The Chez-zam Event Group, guests will be treated to a night of traditional Indian culture. The Hempstead House will be transformed for the occasion into a royal Maharaja Palace, complete with a marketplace filled with scarves, teas, spices, flowers and more. Every detail will be tended to, including a white horse decorated in a traditional Baraat costume.

“We are excited to share the beauty of Indian culture and heritage,” said Amrit Sethi, a gala committee chair and founder of the local Happy Montessori.

Entertainment will include a sitar player and tabla percussionist, traditional Indian and Bollywood dancing – and DJ Sharad spinning popular beats. At the Henna Painting station, two artists will be within the tented pavilion, along with other specialty artists.

“We are incorporating our history into this one special evening, a tremendous honor on behalf of Ashima and Mike Narula and Sands Point Preserve,” committee member Shaleen Makhijani-Shivasani noted.

As for food and drink, there will be cocktails in the gardens, and inside, guests can enjoy rye and gin tastings in the library and scotch tasting in the billiard room. That’s in addition to an open bar, as well as Indian and American cuisine, catered by the Narula’s chef and Philip Stone respectively. And there will be plenty of sushi.

“This is going to be one fun party – different than the average fundraiser, without being too extravagant,” said Friends of The Sands Point Preserve Chair Karli Hagedorn. “I can’t think of a more exciting theme, and to be guided by people for whom this is their heritage makes it even more meaningful.”

“The evening will help raise attention and funding for the Preserve’s buildings, grounds and growing number of programs for families and cultural arts events,” said Friends’ Executive Director Jean-Marie Posner.

Tickets for the Jewels of India gala are available at www.TheSandsPointPreserve, by phone at (516) 571-7901, and at the Gate House, which is open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 127 Middle Neck Road in Sands Point.

Left to right, first row) Marla Freeman, Karishma Israni, Shaleen Makhijani-Shivdasani, Amrit Sethi, Ved Kawatra, Poonam Sachdev, (Second row) Martha Theodos, Jean-Marie Posner, Maya Rajani, Georgia DeYoung, Neera Chhabra,(Third row)Nikols Garcia, Jackie Johnson, Chris Pierce, Debra Odell, Jana McDonough, Bonnie Zarabi.

Other committee members include: Michele Daniels, Janet Effman, Marcia Forman, Adina Genn, Karli HagedornCarol Hanover, Lisa Lockom, Alicja Malecka, Jodi Manes, Toni Nahas, JoAnn Sica, Jane Stern and Mark Underwood