After the mad rush to rebuild in time for Memorial Day, one thing shore retailers did not count on was Mother Nature being so uncooperative.

Seaside Heights Boardwalk (Dave Kotinsky, Getty Images)
Seaside Heights Boardwalk (Dave Kotinsky, Getty Images)
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July started much in the way June ended, rainy and gloomy, which means fewer visitors to the beaches and boardwalk.

While July 4th is expected to bring some sun, some merchants on the Seaside Heights boardwalk are weary from a less than great start to a vital summer.

Joe Maruca, from Maruca's Pizza on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, notes it's hard to equate this summer to any other, and while it's slower, "when the weather is nice people are here."

However, other businesses cannot ignore last year's ledger books and already are noticing drops from 30 to 50 percent compared to this time in 2012.

The owner of the Rain gift shop on the Seaside boardwalk laments there has been "no business" this summer.

"The weather is bad, the boardwalk is not complete, the ramps are not there."

There is a sense of optimism for 4th of July. It's often the second major holiday for shore retailers and many are hoping it will be a good time for them.

 

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