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Thursday, May 2, 2013
Talk Of The Town ? From Page 14 23-year-old Ryan Platzer, before the big opening on Memorial Day weekend. “I have no interest in a basic, generic shop with chrome racks in the center,” he told us. “I want a shop that’s going to excite people when they walk in the door. That’s where the name, Galvanic, comes from. It means to have an electrifying effect.” It’s a goal that might be hard to picture — right now, Galvanic is gutted, with a dirt floor and naked support beams that leave everything to the imagination — if it weren’t for Ryan’s enthusiasm. When he speaks about the space, you can’t help but get swept up in the excitement of an industrial vibe complete with concrete floors, walls made of reclaimed wood from north Jersey barns and Atlantic City’s post-Hurricane Sandy boardwalk, and old-school, gymnasium-style lighting. “That’s very important to me,” Ryan said.
“Even in my own home, I’m constantly dimming the lights.” On the loft space above his customers, Ryan will project “any kind of cool exciting videos,” like one of a guy making reclaimed wood tables in Vermont, or fashioning bicycle frames in California. And those are just the plans that are definite; the permits are still underway for the rest of the ideas Ryan and project architect Rich — of Steven Starr restaurant fame — have ironed out. But a stimulating atmosphere can only get a shop so far, Ryan realizes, which is where the merchandise comes in. “Cape May is a difficult place to find men’s apparel,” he said. “So, while we’ll carry women’s clothing eventually, I wanted to make sure I fill that niche right off the bat.” And fill it well. “I knew I wanted board shorts, but I didn’t want Hurley or Billabong. I looked for the smaller, grassroots people who don’t want to be in PacSun, for instance. These companies have no inter-
est in being just another shirt in a rack. A lot of the manufacturers in New York wanted to check me out as much as I wanted to check them out.” Among the brands Ryan will carry is Philadelphia-based Iron and Resin, the most passionate jean-maker he could find. “They’re stamping the leather patches on the back by hand,” he said. “You visit this company, and it makes you want to make jeans.” Then there’s the cutting-edge sunglass line, Ivy, for which Ryan is the only east coast rep. And the handbags by Krochet Kids, the sales of which benefit economic growth in developing nations. Or the “hard” products, like handcarved tables, surfboards, and skateboards that are as much works of arts as they are practical. “Mostly, it excites me to be doing something I can constantly change,” Ryan said. “I want the shop to look a little different every time people come in.” While Ryan admits to being nervous about the venture, we’ve
got a feeling he’s going to be a natural. After all, running a Cape May business is in the Platzer blood… his father, Mark, was a long-time owner of the C-View Inn. And, actually, being a Cape Mayan is in his blood, too. “I left for Florida for a while to get my captain’s license and work on commercial fishing boats,” Ryan told us. “But there’s something about this place that draws you back. I’m so excited to be back on dry land and, most importantly, to be back in this place.”
Cape Equality NEW Jersey’s reputation leaves much to be desired. It’s a chuckleworthy reality, considering Cape May alone has been ranked nationally for our beaches, bed and breakfasts, and overall vibe. The Travel Channel once touted even our “overwhelming propensity for politeness.” And now comes another feather in our area’s ‘Jer-
Continued On Page 18 ? Vegetarian & Gluten Free Friendly
Open Daily - Lunch from 11:30 • Dinner from 5pm
Mother’s Day Brunch 9-1:30 & Dinner 3-8
OPEN DAILY YEAR ROUND
“First visit here... won’t be the last! everything was delicious. Great food and service.” - Art and Teresa, Fairhaven, NJ
Pet-Friendly Back Patio!
All New Dinner Menu Thurs ~ Fri ~ Sat ~ Sun from 4:30 $13.95 Early Bird Dinner Menu 4:30-5:30 Breakfast & Lunch Fri-Sat-Sun 8-3 Mon-Thurs 8-2:30 Early Bird $6.99 Breakfast 8-10am Daily
322 Washington Street Mall, Cape May (609) 884-9119 • www.tishasfinedining.com
4 0 6 N . B r o a d w a y, We s t C a p e M a y 6 0 9 . 8 8 4. 6 3 3 2 • w w w. b e l l a v i d a c a f e . c o m