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Documentary Focuses on Three Businesses in Seaside Heights, N.J.

Posted on: Friday, 10 March 2006, 18:00 CST

By Joe Pike, Asbury Park Press, N.J.

Mar. 9--SEASIDE PARK -- Stan and Betty Jane Matejkowski have waited a long time to see the Seaside area revert to the popular Shore spot it was when the married couple first moved there nearly 50 years ago.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Matejkowskis, who have lived in both Seaside Park and Seaside Heights over the years, got to see their wish unfold before their eyes.

The couple was among many Seaside area residents and municipal officials at the Saw Mill Restaurant and Tavern who caught a sneak preview of "Seaside Story," NJN Public Television and Radio's upcoming 26-minute documentary about the ups and downs of three Seaside Heights businesses.

The businesses are the established Maruca Tomato Pies, Lucky Leo's Arcade and the new kid on the block, The Luna Rosa Restaurant.

The film's narrator and producer, Maria DeNoia, a two-time Emmy-award winner and five-time Emmy award nominee, said the purpose of the film is to show the many hardships Shore-area business owners face during the winter, and how they can take a financial hit even during the summer when an event, such as a power outage, interferes with commerce.

That's exactly what happened over the July 4th weekend in 2003, when a massive power outage ruined one of the biggest holidays of the year for many business in the Seaside area.

DeNoia also said the film will hopefully draw more attention to an area that has been gaining momentum in the last year or so.

"I wanted people to see how hard these people actually work, how hard it could be to maintain a business in the Shore area," DeNoia said. "But I also wanted people to see why these people work so hard, why they love having their businesses in Seaside and also what a great place Seaside really is."

"As far as our business goes, it's really about how scary it could be to start a business in the Shore area," said Carmine DeRosa, whose wife, Stephanie, owns The Luna Rosa, which recently celebrated it's one-year anniversary.

Many who watched the film Wednesday, including Seaside Park Councilwoman Norma Spice, DeNoia's sister, said the film captures both the old-time feel of the area as well as it's resurgence.

"Just watching it, knowing the area, having grown up in the area, you can really get a sense of the love she shares for Seaside," Spice said of her sister's work. "As I watched it, many fond memories of the area came to mind, and it definitely looks like Seaside is becoming that place again."

"Seaside Story" captures the action on the boardwalk, boulevard and arcades, but also explores waves of hope and worry, struggle and triumph, according to an NJN news release.

"These type of pieces demonstrate exactly what we look to accomplish at NJN," said Elizabeth Christopherson, executive director of NJN Public Television and Radio. "We're always looking to draw attention to different towns in New Jersey, and this film definitely captures the feel of Seaside."

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To see more of the Asbury Park Press, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.app.com

Copyright (c) 2006, Asbury Park Press, N.J.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Asbury Park Press

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