Business Buzz
By Joanna Gorecke
Sea Isle City continues to welcome exciting new businesses, giving residents and visitors even more reasons to shop, dine, and explore locally. From unique art boutiques and fresh dining experiences to a collaborative coworking space, these new additions along with some familiar faces in new ventures continue to strengthen the small business community we all know and love. Be sure to stop in, meet the owners, and discover everything our newest businesses have to offer.
Megu Sushi
Steven Lin of Megu Sushi
4911 Landis Ave., Sea Isle City | 609-486-6286
megujapanmarket.com
Facebook: Megu Sea Isle | Instagram: @meguseaisle
Sea Isle City sushi enthusiasts have a familiar favorite to celebrate as Megu Sushi has officially returned to its original ownership, bringing an expanded menu and an exciting new Japanese market concept to Landis Avenue.
Originally opened in Sea Isle City in 2018, Megu Sushi is known for its fresh sushi, hibachi, poke bowls, and authentic Japanese cuisine. After a brief ownership transition last year, owner Steven Lin has reclaimed the Sea Isle location and is excited to once again welcome customers.
“We’re thrilled to be back in Sea Isle City under original ownership and enhanced concept that keeps our popular classics while introducing a Japanese market vibe,” says Lin. “From fresh sushi and hibachi to unique ice creams and snacks, we invite locals and visitors to stop by and experience what’s new at Megu Sushi.”
Megu Sushi Sea Isle is part of Lin’s family of four restaurants, with additional locations in Cherry Hill, Ventnor, and Haddonfield. His passion for Japanese cuisine and hospitality has guided the business since its inception, earning the restaurants numerous accolades over the years, including multiple South Jersey Magazine “Best of the Best” awards, Zagat recognition, Editor’s Pick honors, Golden Fork awards, and consistently high sanitary ratings.
While guests can still enjoy the restaurant’s popular sushi, sashimi, hibachi, poke bowls, and onigiri, the Sea Isle location now offers something entirely new.
“This year at Sea Isle we’ve added a fun Japanese market-style section featuring over 100 kinds of Japanese ice cream and many different Japanese snacks,” Lin says. “Everything is prepared fresh daily with seasonal ingredients and served with quick, friendly service for dine-in or take-out.”
Megu Sushi is open daily from noon-9:30pm with online ordering available.
A Beautiful Mess Art Boutique
Katie Dalrymple Potter of A Beautiful Mess Art Boutique
26 JFK Blvd., Sea Isle City | 609-602-6747
Facebook: ABeautifulMessArtBoutique | Instagram: @abeautifulmess_artboutique
Katie Dalrymple Potter is excited to relaunch A Beautiful Mess Art Boutique at 26 JFK Blvd. Originally opened in 2014, along with KD Photography studio, Katie decided to focus on her photography career for a little while, but the itch to own the art store stayed with her.
“Ten years later, and after growing my photography business to a place I’m happy with, I decided to reopen A Beautiful Mess Art Boutique,” says Dalrymple Potter. “Creating this business has been so fulfilling. I love having a space that can celebrate many talented local artisans and their respective mediums alongside my own products and work.”
Dalrymple Potter grew up in Dennis Township and Sea Isle City. She currently lives in Upper Township with her husband Matt and two rescue pups, Princess Sparkles and Lady Godiva. She has been a professional photographer for 18 years, and loves photographing all different types of lifestyle sessions, intimate events, and weddings.
“My passion in my field is documentary-style sessions and being able to tell peoples’ stories through my images,” she says. “I’ve also always been interested in a variety of art mediums, and the art community, so when the opportunity arose to create a space where I could showcase different artists’ work alongside my photography, I decided to make it happen.”
A Beautiful Mess Art Boutique carries photography products by KD Photography Studios, and an array of other artistic gifts by local artisans. There are currently 10 other artists represented in the shop alongside Dalrymple Potter’s work. The shop features mainly handmade and handcrafted products, and plans include incorporating art classes in the future.
The store is open Monday-Wednesday, 11am-5pm; Thursday, 11am-2pm; Friday, 11am-6pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10:30am-6pm.
Verde CoLab Coworking
Chris Heffernan of Verde CoLab Coworking
3514 Landis Ave., Unit 102 (Entrance on 36th Street), Sea Isle City
us.verdecolab.com
Facebook: Verde Colab USA | Instagram: @verdecolab | LinkedIn: Verde Colab USA
Working remotely in Sea Isle City just became a whole lot easier. Verde CoLab, owned by Chris and Christine Heffernan, is providing residents, homeowners, visitors, and remote professionals with a modern coworking space designed to help people stay productive while enjoying everything Sea Isle City has to offer.
“The location checked all the boxes for us,” says Chris Heffernan. “It’s close to the center of town, has beautiful natural light, tall ceilings, and the open, modern feel we envisioned. We wanted to create a space that felt productive, welcoming, and fit the relaxed vibe of Sea Isle.”
As longtime Sea Isle visitors and now homeowners, the Heffernans understand firsthand the challenges of trying to work from a busy beach house.
“Whether it’s a full house, noisy surroundings, or an important video meeting, sometimes you just need a quiet, professional space,” he says. “Since I already needed a place to work while managing my other businesses, Verde CoLab was a natural fit.”
That vision has grown into a business that gives people the flexibility to work without sacrificing their time at the shore.
Now in its third year of operation, Verde CoLab has expanded to five locations, including its new Sea Isle City location, one in Glenside, Pa., and three in Colombia, with additional expansion planned.
An entrepreneur with experience building technology companies in the restaurant and delivery industries, Heffernan says his passion has always been creating businesses that solve everyday challenges while bringing people together.
Verde CoLab offers a variety of flexible workspace options, including day passes, coworking memberships, dedicated desks, private offices, meeting rooms, and private phone booths. Members also enjoy high-speed internet, complimentary coffee and snacks, and convenient app-based access, allowing them to work whenever their schedule requires.
The space is designed to serve a wide range of professionals from full-time remote employees to vacationers.
The business is currently welcoming new members and first-time visitors and invites anyone interested to stop in for a tour and learn more about its flexible membership options.
Staffed hours are generally Monday through Friday 8am-6pm, while members enjoy app-based access outside of those hours.
As Verde CoLab continues to grow, the Heffernans hope the Sea Isle City location becomes more than just a place to work.
“We look forward to becoming part of the Sea Isle community and giving people a place where work and the shore can coexist,” Heffernan says.
