OCEAN CITY, NJ – A longtime McDonald’s at the gateway to Ocean City is shutting its doors this weekend, leaving more than 30 employees suddenly out of work just days before the holidays.
Manager Linda Romain said staff at the 9th Street and West Avenue location were told Tuesday that the restaurant would permanently close Sunday.
The closure affects one of the most recognizable landmarks in the shore town, a McDonald’s that greets hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer as they cross the Route 52 causeway.
It’s not the first time a McDonald’s has closed at the Jersey Shore. The McDonald’s located in Ortley Beach has remained closed after it was damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, reopened, but has since been shut down again.
Sudden closure hits during holiday season
Employees expressed frustration at the timing, noting that job prospects are slim during the winter months.
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The 9th Street McDonald’s has served generations of vacationers and residents, operating as one of the first stops for families entering Ocean City’s downtown corridor.
A community landmark for decades
The restaurant, while locally owned and operated, sits on property owned by McDonald’s corporate real estate division.
No public statement has been issued by McDonald’s regarding the reason for the closure or future plans for the site.
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