October Newsletter
Dear beloved guests. It's been a while since my last newsletter, so here's what's been happening since my last email. Read through because there are promo codes, and that equals free money.
We Got a New Paint Job
I overhauled the room interiors in 2021 (see below). 2022 brought a much needed makeover to Scarborough Inn's iconic façade.
We had power washed in August of 2021 to prepare for an immediate paint job. Because of labor shortages, we didn't line up a painter until spring of 2022. That meant that Scarborough Inn spent the intervening winter with a questionable Grey Gardens vibe that I kinda liked. I was in the minority, though.
When it finally came time to repaint, I generated over 25 color schemes. Grey, purple, aqua... these options were all on the table. 120 hours and 64 pots of coffee later I narrowed it down to two schemes. I did four iterations of each. I then asked all of my staff which version they liked. After disregarding their collectively incorrect opinions, I decided to embrace Scarborough Inn's existing pink and blue colors. The sun-faded navy and mauve became Icelandic blue and hot pink.
Monica converted file cabinets into moveable planter boxes for dune grass. We got black flower boxes which we immediately Scarborough pinked the heck out of.
Now we have a building that's ready to party.
Buy a Gift Certificate for Someone Awesome
We finally got our gift certificate storefront online. So if you need to buy something special for someone that has everything, click here to order a gift certificate... or ten. Nothing says I love you like a getaway to the only place in the world with easy access to soft Jersey sand, boardwalk pizza, Asbury Avenue boutiques, and a loquacious innkeeper armed with many useless facts and one useful kegerator.
Retracing the Past
As mentioned above, I overhauled the room interiors from October 2020–June 2021. As the pandemic was still new to everyone, cleanliness was on the forefront of wary (and weary) travelers' minds.
I went with minimalist white bedding, antimicrobial brass fittings, easy-to-sweep wood floors, built-in furniture to avoid dust bunnies, and subway tiles for the baths.
As luck would have it, so did my architectural forebears in the wake of the Spanish Flu. At first glance the interiors might look "modern." But most of the furniture, fabrics, and fittings we selected would've been right at home in a 1920s Paris apartment.
Sidenote, since this is the first time I'm walking in the footsteps of dead architects, I probably should've called this section Tracing the Past, not Retracing the Past.
Speaking of 1920s
In a stroke of coincidence, our Jazz Age interiors happen to go well with the big band Spotify playlist I play on my nostalgic porch radios 24/7/365. My playlist, Scarborough Porch, now has a over 48 hours of Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Maxine Sullivan, and a bunch of other kids that I think are going places. 47 people liked my playlist so much that they liked it on Spotify so they can bring the escapist Scarborough Porch vibes home with them. Let's see if we can get that number up to 50.
Like my playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4JPnMBxvpV6YgiF0BhudK3?si=SYGGyjQ0QsuSzyZ2AfStZg&nd=1
The Dog Days of Autumn
October 22nd will be the Howl-O-Ween Parade on the boardwalk. Dress yourself and your pooch in something Halloweeny. Maybe even win a prize.
Last year's parade had summer-worthy weather, several score becostumed canines, and one Phanatic. Good times were had by all. Details and registration can be found on Ocean City's official website here: https://www.ocnj.us/dogday
We're almost sold out for that weekend. Hop on a room now: https://tinyurl.com/ScarboroughDogDay
NJ Lighthouse Challenge
Are you doing the NJ Lighthouse Challenge on Oct. 15 and 16?
I mean 10 lighthouses, 3 lifesaving stations, 1 museum, and 1 virtual site in one weekend? That’s literally impossible.
Not really. If you stay at Scarborugh Inn, you can crank out all the North Jersey sites on Day One and tell me all about it over beer that evening (I have a kegerator and I’m not afraid to use it). Then crank out all the South Jersey sites on Day Two and brag about it to me that second night. We still have a couple of rooms left!
Book with promo code: LIGHTHOUSE for 25% off: tinyurl.com/LighthouseOCNJ
“You may be the lighthouse in someone else’s storm.”
Merch
Those of you whom I've hosted this past year have noticed I've been busy with—among other things—making sweet swag for my staff and awesome giveaways for events.
I was able to track down the manufacturer that made the excellent Christmas ornaments that Gus and Carol Bruno carried when they were innkeepers.
Stainton's has agreed to sell them. I've listed them at $13.77, to commemorate the year Filippo Brunelleschi was born, the architect that brought about the Renaissance.
Buy a dozen or two for your family next time you're in town.
What's There to Do in Fall?
Plenty. Look at the pics and then click the fall promo code for 10% off.
Book now until November 30, 2022 for 10% off: https://hotels.cloudbeds.com/reservation/CxtomI#checkin=2022-10-13&checkout=2022-10-14&promo=FALL10
A Map of Architecture and Year-Round Businesses
I often host first-time visitors to OCNJ. I tend to tell them about architectural landmarks and quirky year-round stores that don't happen to be on the tourist maps we currently have available in town. The maps also don't have much coverage of the neighboring barrier islands, which is too bad. I send plenty of my guests off island, especially if they're looking for fine dining and/or booze.
So I've gotten into the habit of hand drawing maps for guests with restaurant, store, and architectural recommendations. After drawing my 50th map, I decided it was time to just make an actual map I could edit.
It's not for sale. But I am looking for someone that can affordably mass produce a double-sided 18x24 map with one base fold and five accordion folds. Holla if you or someone you know is up for the challenge! Email me at sne@scarboroughinn.com and we can discuss producing this bad boy.
For the time being you are invited to peruse this map in our lobby. I can say with reasonable confidence that this is the only map in town that uses the word jackass.
