WCEC Storming Back Stories: Shake Shoppe Arcade Explores Impact of Sandy

Shake Shoppe Arcade is a brand new arcade, amusement center and ice cream shop located on the famous Seaside Heights boardwalk.  The boardwalk has changed dramatically since Hurricane Sandy – the infamous roller coaster is gone, the rides are a memory of the past and most of the oceanfront stores are no longer there.  And change is not something long-time resident Patti Hershey wanted to know about – but she had no choice.  The small, family arcade, Big Top, she owned for many years was severely damaged by the superstorm.  Somehow, there is always a silver lining in every bad experience. 

Hershey lucked out and had one advantage most other business owners impacted by Sandy did not have. A long-time friend introduced her to David Goldfarb, president of PrimeTime Amusements, an international arcade amusements company based in Florida.  Goldfarb knew that the Jersey Shore would eventually recover and Seaside Heights would get back to the busy, boardwalk packed tourist attraction it was famous for.  He invested $2 million to rebuild the arcade and partnered with Hershey.  It officially re-opened Memorial Day weekend with a new name, new look, new part-time owner and capping a project that many hope symbolizes the Shore’s recovery.  They rebuilt the entire arcade in 90 days.

Goldfarb’s investment is a true testament to the long-term vision that the Jersey Shore is stronger than ever.  Visitors are coming back and supporting one of the most famous boardwalks in the country.

A flooded arcade now had a chance to emerge better than before the storm. 

And the investment is paying off.  The amusement arcade is buzzing with activity and the fun sounds of kids playing games. 

“Meeting Goldfarb of PrimeTime Amusements was an opportunity for me to reinvent my business.  Now the Shake Shoppe Arcade is a one-stop family amusement center and the only one of its kind in Seaside Heights,” comments Hershey.  This brand new concept now features a well-known family owned ice cream brand, Hershey’s® Ice Cream, and a large scale international arcade partner. 

The new arcade also features massive foam statues of ice cream sundaes and milkshakes and 80 arcade and redemption games, baked goods, fudge and sweets shop and a hamburger and hot dog eatery.

For Patti Hershey and her new business partner, PrimeTime Amusements, they did not know what to expect for summer 2013, but so far they are pleased with the support of thousands of people from New Jersey and out-of-state visitors who have visited the boardwalk to help businesses. 

“We need people to understand that this is a slow but moving recovery and the boardwalk will be back – in time – and better than ever.  The Jersey Shore is a favorite spot for tourists and we want them to come to the Shake Shoppe Arcade and have fun.”  

To learn more about this business and others affected by the storm, please visit http://bit.ly/19EYgjm. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the WCEC’s “We’re Storming Back” Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Program provides free workshops, training, and resources to New Jersey businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy to help them to recover and thrive. 

About The WCEC

The WCEC, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit corporation, is a U. S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center.  The WCEC provides the tools for individuals to successfully own, operate and grow their small businesses, thereby investing financially, intellectually and emotionally in their communities. The WCEC provides more than 150 classes, seminars and individual consulting sessions each year for more than 5,000 participants. For more information please visit www.wcecnj.org/.

Shake Shoppe Arcade

1020 North Ocean Terrace

Seaside Heights, NJ

732-793-0600

shakeshoppearcade.com