Fisherman’s Cove

Old Salt’s music of waves and gulls with the fog horn playing over top of it.
Chris’ Restaurant overlooking the bay and the 9th Street Drawbridge.
Simms’ Restaurant at the corner of Moorlyn and the Boardwalk.
The Village Theater’s kitschy sign and the village surrounding it.
Watson’s may make you think not of the hotel, but of the restaurant that once stood in the same spot.
Names of long ago Ocean City businesses evoke a picture, a memory. Fisherman’s Cove, 1300 Boardwalk is a business that’s seemingly been around forever under a variety of names. When it was Linda’s, they were known for their huge variety of Webkinz stuffed animals hanging above the register. When the store became Fisherman’s Cove, it became a destination store full of home decor, shells, and everything you need for a warm, sunny beach day. This year, Fisherman’s Cove turns five.
When Anthony Bayham had the chance to name his own store, he took inspiration and memories from two of his favorite long gone but not forgotten stores – Fisherman’s Wharf and Shell Cove. He opened Fisherman’s Cove when the spot was available a half decade ago.
“Shell Cove was everybody’s shell place. The whole place was nothing but shells. There were thousands and thousands of different shells. That was a really cool store,” said Anthony.
Shell Cove was around 10th and Boardwalk. Fisherman’s Wharf was around 9th and Boardwalk until it caught fire in the early to mid ‘90s.
Anthony’s no stranger to the corner at 13th Street and the Boardwalk.
“My first job was in that store when it was Irene’s. I’ve been on that corner since I was 13 years old.”
He then worked at Linda’s Gifts and the Jewelry Hut from 1994-2003.
Irene’s became Linda’s. Linda’s then became Fisherman’s Cove. It’s the second business Anthony owns in that block of Boardwalk.
“I bought the Jewelry Hut when I was 28. The previous owner had it for 25 years before I took it over,” said Anthony.
When Anthony took over the Jewelry Hut in 2004, he added to their product lines by bringing in name brand sunglasses such as Oakley and Ray Ban.
“We increased the quality of the products tremendously. We always carried gold but we developed the Ocean City Bracelet and memory charm. I have a bunch of lines that are specifically my own.”
It was natural that when he opened Fisherman’s Cove, he would make the same adjustments to better suit his customers. Linda’s was a well-known store; Anthony had a tough task ahead of him- building on the legacy the previous owners left behind.
“I’m trying to make it a destination store that people want to visit. I have a broad range of products for beach needs versus home decor. We’re trying to get away from the home decor but it’s everybody’s beach store.”
He carries every size of boogie boards imaginable, beach chairs, sun screen. It’s easy to walk in and walk out with everything you need for the beach in ten minutes or less.
Anthony’s changed the types of products that he carries over the last five years.
“The biggest change in Fisherman’s Cove was that we started to carry more clothing and started to slow down on nautical gifts and home decor. We tripled our beach inventory. Everybody’s beach needs, we’ve got it. I can see it continuing to grow.”
Anthony wouldn’t be where he’s at today without his family.
“I couldn’t do it without my wife, Ariana. She’s really taken control of Fisherman’s Cove. She’s taking a strong stance in that store.”
His four kids – Alexander, Madison, Jack, and Katherine – help out as well.
“It’s a family business. All my kids worked there. It is family owned and operated.”
Anthony is grateful for the communities’ support.
“Small businesses like myself if we don’t have support, we go out of business. I’m grateful to have all of the support I get.”
Anthony is also grateful for The Neumann’s. They owned the Jewelry Hut and Linda’s before Anthony bought them. Shell We, also owned by the Neumann’s, in Smithville is still considered a sister store to Fisherman’s Cove.
“Michael Neumann and Linda Neumann… I owe them everything. They gave me the opportunity to buy the Jewelry Hut on a handshake deal,” said Anthony.

Find this story and more in our August magazine