OCEAN CITY, NJ After 47 years of dedicated service, Jay Gillian has announced his retirement and the impending closure of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier and 6th Street Pizza and Grill on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
This decision marks the end of a 94-year legacy that began when David Gillian first ventured into the amusement park business in 1929.
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier has been a cornerstone of Ocean City, providing joy and entertainment to generations of visitors. The park was initially founded by David Gillian, who had moved to Ocean City in 1914 and spent decades involved in the local entertainment scene. After the devastating boardwalk fire in 1927, David Gillian seized the opportunity to establish the park at Plymouth Place and the Boardwalk in 1930. His early offerings included a Ferris Wheel and a Merry-Go-Round, which became staples of the Ocean City experience.”
“I tried my best 10 sustain Wonderland for as long as possible through increasingly difficult challenges each year. But it’s no longer a viable business,” he said. “We will terminate our multi-year lease in a couple of months. \Vonderland and 6th Street Piua will remain open through the Indian Summer Weekend to give everybody plenty of time to use up their tickets.
The park was passed down through the Gillian family, with significant expansions and innovations along the way. Roy Gillian, taking over in 1965, relocated the business to where Stainton’s Playland once stood, expanding it into what became known as Wonderland Pier. Roy’s tenure saw the growth of the amusement park and his own political career as the mayor of Ocean City. His leadership helped solidify the pier’s status as a beloved institution, fostering a family-friendly atmosphere that drew visitors from all over.
The park celebrated nearly a century of operation, with attractions that ranged from classic amusement rides to modern additions. It became a symbol of Ocean City’s vibrant boardwalk culture, employing many locals and seasonal workers from abroad, contributing significantly to the local economy and community spirit.
As Jay Gillian steps down, he leaves a legacy filled with fond memories and significant contributions to Ocean City’s cultural and social fabric. The closure of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier represents not just the end of a family business but the conclusion of a chapter in Ocean City’s storied history on the boardwalk.
For those who grew up visiting or working at the pier, the news brings a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the countless summers spent under the sun, enjoying the thrills and spills that Wonderland offered. As the community looks to the future, the spirit of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier will undoubtedly live on in the memories of those it touched.
