Marking a Milestone: Honoring Ocean City’s Most Iconic Businesses and Their Big Anniversaries

CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARIES WITH JUST A FEW BUSINESSES IN AND AROUND OCEAN CITY

Running a successful business for just a handful of years is no small feat. Doing it for 25, 50 or even 70 years? That’s nothing short of incredible. Ocean City Magazine wanted to highlight some of the longtime businesses marking milestones in 2026 because, as we all know, our local shopping and dining scene is a big part of what makes America’s Greatest Family Resort, well, great.

Manco & Manco Pizza: 70 years

There are a lot of things that come to mind when someone thinks about Ocean City. Beautiful beaches? Certainly: Family-friendly entertainment? For sure. Manco & Manco Pizza? Yep – that’s definitely one of those things

“It’s a one-of-a-kind, unique taste. It has remained consistent and true to its original recipe since 1956,” Chuck Bangle said. “And according to the Manco aficionados, there is no other taste like it from here to the West Coast.”

Chuck and his wife, Mary, are third generation owners of Manco & Manco ushering the longtime family business into its 70th year. The duo took the reins from Mary’s mom, Kay Manco, in 2012, and they have been moving the business forward ever since.

First opened in 1956 at 918 Boardwalk, Manco & Manco expanded over the years to two more Ocean City shops at 8th (now closed) and 12th streets on the boards and a Somers Point restaurant on Bethel Road. In 2015, the Bangles purchased the former Strand movie theater on the Boardwalk, and by 2017 the space was renovated to create a super pizzeria, of sorts, with an expanded menu and an expansive dining space.

“I always had a vision that when we acquired the old Strand movie theater to really start capturing more families on the Boardwalk with a full menu,” Chuck said.

At the 9th Street and Bethel Road pizzerias, the menu touts tasty favorites – fries, tenders and wings – salads and gluten-free pizza and wings. The traditional Italian dessert, zeppoli, is also on the menu.

Growing the business – which was already well established and successful thanks to his in-laws leadership, Chuck stressed – couldn’t have been done without the stellar staff both behind the counter and behind the scenes. The core longtime staffers have been working at Manco & Manco for nearly 30 years, and there are multiple generations of the team tossing pies and bussing tables – just like the Bangles are the third generation to run the business.

“It was an honor to take over the family business, and it’s been an honor ever since,” Chuck said. “It’s been awesome to see the company grow, especially in professional sports.”

The Philadelphia sports scene became a new home away from home for Manco & Manco in 2022, when the pizza landed at Citizen’s Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. (And while most details are under wraps for now, Chuck also divulged Manco & Manco will be served up in more professional stadiums and arenas soon.)

“We just extended and signed on for another five-year contract at Citizens Bank Park. We’ll be up to eight locations in the park, which is pretty amazing considering it’s a baseball stadium,” Chuck said.

“Our fans can’t get enough.”

Ocean City locals and visitors alike can’t seem to get enough Manco & Manco either, with steady streams grabbing tables and long lines at the open air to-go windows common sights all summer long. There will be another way to get the famous pies starting July 1, too, with a custom built Manco & Manco food truck fresh off the line serving pizza around the island and beyond.

JiLLy’s Brand: 50 Years

When JiLLy’s Arcade first opened its doors in 1976 at 1168 Boardwalk, there was no way to know that it was also opening the door to a family of branded stores that would be 50 years in the making. But as it turns out, that’s exactly what happened.

“My parents, Jill and Paul, bought a dump of a building with a dirt parking lot, and they built what you see today,” Jody Levchuk said.

“That’s when JiLLy’s was born.”

Jody and his brother, Randy, grew up over that building, their first jobs working in the arcade and adjoining ice cream shop. It gave them a taste of entrepreneurship and the resolve to want to pursue it themselves – but there just wasn’t the space for them to share ownership of the arcade with their folks.

“That wasn’t ever the plan,” Jody said. “There wasn’t room for us to be partners, and I’m glad because it turned out my dad was lucky enough to buy that property in front of Playland where we have stores today.”

It started with the French Fry Factory. It was 2001, and the Levchuks were running their arcade, ice cream shop and a dollar store near Playland. When Jody found out his dad was looking for a tenant for a storefront he owned in the strip of shops in front of the amusement park, he told his dad he wanted to rent it. He wanted to open a French fry shop.

“That was the first business my brother and I opened together,” Jody said.

The future JiLLy’s T-shirt Factory unexpectedly came about that same year when the brothers took over an existing T-shirt business next door to the dollar store. (Ultimately, the T-shirt Factory took over the dollar store space, too, once it closed in 2019.)

Things kept growing from there, and today there is an Ice Cream Factory, French Fry Factory, Candy Factory, and three T-shirt Factories under the JiLLy’s brand – plus a small OCNJ gift and souvenir shop that opened last year. Everything is up on the Boardwalk.

To celebrate 50 successful years of growth and success, the Levchuks have been investing in updates to each JiLLy’s store. The ice cream shop added a Japanese spaghetti ice cream machine. The arcade expanded with six new games and four new pinball machines. The T-shirt Factory at 918 Boardwalk installed glass doors to replace its overhead steel garage door, and the flagship T-shirt Factory at 1048 Boardwalk underwent a capital improvement with new printing equipment and an outfitted back counter so customers can check out the on-demand printing in action.

The update to the Candy Factory is, perhaps, the most exciting of the bunch. There is now a Popcorn Parlour showcasing a new product line of delectable popcorn sold three ways: fresh from six warmers, each featuring a different rotating flavor; unique flavors made throughout the day and sold off the shelf; and as a popcorn sundae, with a flavored popcorn base, chocolate drizzle, and sweet and salty mix-ins.

While 2026 marks 50 years of JiLLy’s Arcade opening, it also is a celebration of 50 years of the JilLy’s brand, according to Jody.

“It’s not just the storefront itself. It’s the level of service. The same family. The quality that goes into everything we do. That’s why I’m putting that 50-year stamp on all of our stores,” Jody said. “Jilly’s Arcade’s the heart – all these other stores are the veins. They’re all connected.”

To learn more about all JiLLy’s shops, including exact locations and hours, visit jillysocnj.com.

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern: 50 years

For 50 years, Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern has boasted a powerful dynamic: It’s where the locals go, but it’s also the spot vacationers want to visit when they’re down the shore.

“It’s a great neighborhood place to go to. Great food, great drinks, live music,” Judy Brenna Felicetta said.

Judy is the events director of Blue Dog Hospitality Group, which purchased Yesterday’s from founding owners the Mcintyre family in 2021. In taking the helm, BDHG president and owner Dr. Tim Fox and his team knew they didn’t want to reinvent the wheel of what was already a well loved and established business.

“We didn’t take away the essence of Yesterday’s – we just updated it,”

Freshening up the Upper Township business during the five past years included a big renovation outdoors.

“We’ve put a lot of love into The Yard this year – that’s our outdoor space,” Judy said. “We built out the stage, added some great lighting and a new sound system, and we’ve completely booked up the calendar for every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with really great bands.”

The weekends aren’t the only time things will be rockin’ at Yesterday’s. To mark its 50th anniversary; a past favorite – My Way Monday with DJ Sinatra – returns on June 2 and continues through Labor Day weekend. There will be DJ Trivia on Tuesdays and DJ Bingo on Wednesdays, along with special theme nights throughout the summer, too, such as a Yacht Rock Party, ’80s Party and Country Night.

“We try to pepper in something every day of the week, especially in the summer months, so locals and people vacationing in Ocean City have a place to go to every day of the week,” Judy explained, adding the tavern offers half price menu and drink specials during Happy Hour from 2 to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The wide variety of entertainment – and menu options – makes Yesterday’s the perfect spot for all ages, from Zoomers to Boomers, families with children to young couples – and everyone in between.

Judy attributes Yesterday’s longevity largely to the staff, many of whom she referred to as “lifers.” The general manager has been there for about 20 years, and one of the lead servers has clocked 25 years.

The other reason Judy thinks Yesterday’s is marking 50 wonderful years is because of its patrons.

“I’ve worked in many different cities, and Upper Township is such a great community,” she said. “That’s one of the other reasons for our longevity – because of the people in this area. They’re tight knit and all about helping each other.”

Yesterday’s Creekside Tavern is located at 316 Roosevelt Boulevard, Marmora. Learn more at www.yesterdaystavern.com.

It’s hard to keep up with how many businesses in town mark milestone anniversaries each year! We’d be remiss to not mention Browns Restaurant (and their delicious donuts) celebrating 50 years in 2026, as well as Randazzo’s Pizza coming up on 35 years this year. Are there others?

Let us know by emailing editor@ ocnjmagazine.com so we can give them a proper shout out.

Bad Kitty: 25 years

It’s been 25 years since Chrissy Triggiani opened her first small space offering henna body art in the back of the Surf Mall, and her business – Bad Kitty – has evolved considerably over that quarter century.

“I’ve changed,” Chrissy reflected, “and the store’s changed with me. It’s very different from where it started!”

Today, Bad Kitty at 1064 Boardwalk is a little girl’s dream destination, offering hair wraps, tinsels and feathers; dresses for dolls (including matching sets for dolls-and-kids); a pet adoption center with sweet plushies and design-your-own collars; and, most importantly, apparel and accessories designed in-house- with customer feedback prioritized.

“I do the design work myself. I produce the product. We focus on what the kids want, what they like to wear, how they like it to feel, and how easy it is for parents to throw it in the wash and put it back on,” Chrissy said. “They’re quality pieces and they’re made exclusively for Bad Kitty. And we love to do it. It’s fun!”

“There really was a lack of options out there. You can’t get this product or this experience anywhere else,” Chrissy explained.

As Bad Kitty continues into its next quarter century, Chrissy said the story will keep evolving, the unique clothing and accessories line will keep expanding – and they will keep listening to their customers along the way.

“Ocean City’s really special to us. It’s where I went as a little kid, and it’s become my home,” Chrissy said. “There’s something about going over that bridge, everything calms down. I’m very lucky to be a part of it.”

Bad Kitty is located at 1064 Boardwalk in Ocean City and 255 96th Street in Stone Harbor. Call the OC store at (609) 398-5598. Shop online at www.badkittykids.com

By Kristen Dowd