When the Jersey Shore re-opens for the summer season in 2013 it will be without at least one landmark.

The owners of Avon Pavilion, a 23-year fixture on the boardwalk in Avon-by-the-Sea, lost their lease on the 600 Ocean Avenue location in a surprise vote by the borough's three member governing body on Monday night.

The decision came as a shock to owner Rob Fishman, who spoke recently to Manasquan-Belmar Patch.

"I was stunned," Fishman told Patch. "I was excited that I had found a better way to use the space. I had been working with the borough for the past three months on plans for the rebuild."

The Avon Board of Commissioners has yet to comment publicly on their decision.

An online petition with more than 1,000 signatures has been circulated in protest.

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