Latest news with #JohnDonio
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic Jersey Shore motel in North Wildwood demolished to make way for housing
The Chateau Bleu motel, about a block from the beach between 9th and 10th streets in North Wildwood, is no more. The Surf Avenue motel is the most recent to disappear from the shore town, which continues to see the rise of large rental properties in place of iconic buildings, such as the Chateau Bleu. The listing for the property reads 'currently this property has operated as a 19 unit motel but is ready for demolition and to be converted to three single homes in the center of North Wildwood.' The motel, which opened in 1962 and is on the list of National Register of Historic Places, was knocked down despite efforts by the Doo Wop Preservation League, which wanted to keep the building standing because of its historic significance. "One of the finest examples of mid-century resort architecture on the island and really the entire Northeast," John Donio, president of the Doo Wop Preservation League, told CBS. "This is a home to a lot of people year after year. It's generational, so families come down with their kids, their grandchildren, and it's also affordable." It was. And that has many people on social media upset with the decision to level the motel. 'The North Wildwood zoning commission has absolutely zero respect for any building on a national historic registry,' read a comment on the Doo Wop Preservation League's Facebook page. 'It all comes down to who you know at City Hall on the zoning board and how deep are your pockets.' 'All the good motels demolished,' read another. 'A shame. It used to look like Vegas motels all in neon lights. We stayed at the Carousel Motel. Oh those Wildwood days. Good memories!' This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: North Wildwood's historic Chateau Bleu motel falls
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
The Doo Wop Experience Museum in New Jersey "tells the story of the Wildwoods"
Marked with a neon sign, Wildwood's Doo Wop Experience Museum tells the story of the shore town Marked with a neon sign, Wildwood's Doo Wop Experience Museum tells the story of the shore town Marked with a neon sign, Wildwood's Doo Wop Experience Museum tells the story of the shore town The Wildwoods is known for its wide beaches, lively boardwalk and being a haven for "Doo Wop" fans. Once on the island, it is hard to miss this funky, colorful architecture synonymous with the Wildwoods. "We like to think it's still in its heyday," John Donio, the President of the Doo Wop Preservation League, said. "Our collection is one of the finest on the entire East Coast, right here in Wildwood." Marked by a neon sign garden, the Doo Wop Experience Museum sits across from the Wildwoods Convention Center in Fox Park. Inside, the museum houses dozens of items. The building used to be the iconic Surfside Diner. "We've been lucky to get different people to donate neon signs, furniture, bicycles, period pieces," Donio said. Karen Samuels serves as the tour guide for the Guided Trolley Tour. "I grew up in the 50s and 60s, and that's what the tour is all about," Samuels said. "It's a midcentury architecture and music scene of the Doo Wop history." The museum is free, and starting next month, it will be open Thursday through Sunday until Labor Day weekend. "This tells the story of the Wildwoods. It's the fabric of our community," Donio said. It's the community that's kept doo wop alive and well.
CBS News
18-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
New Jersey nonprofit pushes to save Chateau Bleu Motel in North Wildwood
A piece of North Wildwood's history is in danger of being demolished. The Chateau Bleu Motel is a classic example of the beloved doo-wop architecture that the Wildwoods are known for. The 19-room resort has a unique carport, blue signage and a heart-shaped swimming pool. "One of the finest examples of mid-century resort architecture on the island and really the entire Northeast," said John Donio, president of the Doo Wop Preservation League. Donio said the motel has been a family favorite for generations. It opened in 1962 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "This is a home to a lot of people year after year. It's generational, so families come down with their kids, their grandchildren, and it's also affordable," Donio said. Now, Donio and others are pushing to save the property. The city said a sale is pending, and developers applied to North Wildwood's Planning Board to knock down the motel and replace it with three single-family homes. Only 92 of what once were hundreds of doo-wop motels remain in the Wildwoods. "Not only is the shore losing historic buildings, but we're also losing hotel rooms. Houses are indeed ratables, but a resort town should have a balance of houses and hotels," said Taylor Henry, president of the Wildwood Historical Society. CBS News Philadelphia reached out to the developer for comment about the plans but hasn't heard back. Meantime, volunteers with the Doo-Wop Preservation League are drafting design concepts of their own. The hope is the developer will come up with designs that fit seamlessly with Wildwood's '50s and '60s vibe. "It's a real gem, and it's part of the history and fabric of this community," Donio said. North Wildwood's Planning Board is expected to vote on the application at Wednesday night's meeting. If approved, there is no timeline on when the Chateau Bleu would be demolished.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jersey shore property owners express concern about Canadian tourism for summer season
The Brief Anyone who has spent any kind of time vacationing at the Jersey shore knows Canadians tourists frequent the beaches in the summer. Shore business owners are concerned over exchange rate, inflation and anti-American sentiment. Canadians account for 10 percent of tourism revenue in Wildwood according to officials. WILDWOOD, N.J. - Canadians make up a large portion of booking in Wildwood for decades, thanks to the fine sand and lively boardwalk. But, property owners in Wildwood are worried anti-American sentiment coupled with concern over the exchange rate and inflation, may keep Canadian tourists away from the Jersey shore. What we know For decades, they've become some of the most faithful visitors to the Jersey shore. Canadian tourists have been flocking to the beaches and boardwalks since the 1960's and people who host them want to keep it that way. Issues like inflation, federal tariffs targeting Canada and the exchange rate to the US dollar may impact Canadian summer travel to the shore. The backstory It's hard not to notice the influence Canada has on the Wildwoods. In the summertime, Canadian license plates can be seen all over town. Hotels called the Canadian flags fly outside of hotels named the "Royal Canadian" and "Quebec" pay homage to the shore's most favorite international visitor. What they're saying "We have the same families that come down year after year and they bring their kids. When they grow up and they bring their kids," said hotel owner John Donio. He owns several hotels including the Daytona Inn and Suites on Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood. "We have seen Canadian bookings on our sheets. But for the long term we're not 100 percent sure yet and we won't until the end of summer," Donio continued. By the numbers Business owners down the shore have been relying on Canadian tourists every summer for decades. Canadian tourism surged after COVID but this summer season new worries like anti-American sentiment and the 70 cents to the US dollar exchange rate may impact the number of tourists coming south in the summer. In Wildwood, local officials say Canadian's make up 10 percent of tourism revenue and actively market in Quebec and Ontario. Cape May County Tourism has a whole section on its website dedicated to Canadians that's written in French and had an office in Montreal until the mid-90's. Many hope the lure of the shore continues for our neighbors to the North. Big picture view "I will routinely see Canadian license plates showing up in late June all the way until the end of summer" said Louis Belasco, Executive Director of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement Development already have been some scattered reports of Canadian cancellations for the summer season. But in Wildwood marketed as an affordable getaway with free beaches, boardwalk and nightlife, business owners just hope Canadians keep the longtime vacation tradition alive. "I think right now we are in a wait and see type of mode. But for any Canadians that might be watching today we're still the same old Wildwood," said Day is 81 days away.
