MARGATE, NJ – The gift shop at Lucy the Elephant will open in a new, temporary location this Saturday across the street from its current site, as plans for a new welcome center continue to move forward.
The new gift shop will be located in the former Ocean City Home Bank at 9219 Atlantic Ave., Unit #5. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday to mark the occasion.
The Save Lucy Committee, which has been working for over two decades to build a new visitor center, noted that the current gift shop, built in the mid-1980s, no longer meets the needs of the growing number of visitors. Each year, more than 150,000 people visit the iconic roadside attraction, making it essential to expand and improve facilities.
The new welcome center will offer better accommodations for visitors, including ADA-compliant restrooms. The Save Lucy Committee recently completed the purchase of the former bank building, setting the stage for the planned upgrades.
