Ocean City Today
BUSINESS www.oceancitytoday.net
JULY 20, 2012
REAL ESTATE REPORT
MAR releases second quarter housing stats LAUREN BUNTING ■ Contributing Writer (July 20, 2012) The Maryland Association of Realtors has released its housing statistics for the second quarter of 2012, and the numbers show some mixed blessings for Worcester County. The housing statistics report for AprilJune shows that overall sales volume took a hit over last year and was 14 percent off last year’s second-quarter volume (sales volume equaling total units sold). But, when you take into account that “active inventory” has been consistently down during the last year, it is an indicator that our inventory is leveling off. For example, we ended the second quarter with 1,844 units of active inventory, as compared to last year’s 2,312 units — showing a 20 percent drop in active inventory this year over last. Average sales price figures are still not representative of a completely balanced market, but there’s evidence of supply and demand coming into play in certain pockets of the county. Additionally, there is a reduction in foreclosures this year over last with 94 total foreclosures going to settlement within the past 12 months as compared to 280 foreclosures settling in the 12month period a year prior. If you would like to view more information on local housing statistics, the housing figures for our area are reported by the Coastal Association of Realtors, and more detailed figures are available to the public online at www.coastalrealtors.org. Included are breakdowns for single-family homes versus condominiums for Ocean City proper, Worcester County, Wicomico County and Somerset County. — Lauren Bunting is a member of the Coastal Association of Realtors and a licensed REALTOR®with Bunting Realty, Inc. in Berlin.
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2 CRAZY X’S OPENS ON 2ND ST.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Carryout eatery features subs and burgers, among other items
Si’culi restaurant and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce are hosting a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 21, at 3 p.m. Si’culi, located at 104 North Main Street in downtown Berlin, will officially open its doors for dinner that evening. Refreshments and small samplings will be served. Husband and wife team, Peter and Jennifer Livolsi, will be bringing their authentic brand of Italian cuisine to downtown Berlin with brick oven pizzas, homemade pastas, breads and desserts. For more information, contact the Livolsis, at 410-629-0550.
LISA CAPITELLI ■ Assistant Editor (July 20, 2012) Many of the people who hear or see the name of the new carryout eatery at 105 Second St., ask owners Paul Baron and Terra Rygh, how they came up with “2 Crazy X’s.” The answer is from life experience. The pair dated for eight years and just broke up last September. “The name gets a lot of attention,” Rygh said. “We had talked about opening a place when we were together. We get along as friends, and we have a child together, and we still wanted to open a business.” The Salisbury residents were planning a move to Annapolis, when they came across the property for sale in May. The duo opened 2 Crazy X’s on June 1. The eatery is located in a building recently renovated using the OCDC’s Façade Improvement Program, according to Glenn Irwin, executive director of the Ocean City Development Corporation. The OCDC façade program provides financial assistance to property owners and businesses to renovate the exterior of their buildings. The applicant is required to provide at least double the amount of grant assistance. The program is funded by grants from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. “2 Crazy X’s is conveniently located for pedestrians traveling between the Boardwalk and parking areas around Second Street in the downtown area,” he said. Baron said business has been steady since the shop opened. Many customers order food several times a week.
Si’culi restaurant grand opening
Luterman seminar set for July 26
OCEAN CITY TODAY/LISA CAPITELLI
Paul Baron and Terra Rygh present some of the subs they offer at their new business, 2 Crazy X’s.
“A lot of locals like us because of our prices and the food is good. We try to give people a good sub for a decent price,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of repeat business.” Baron and Rygh run the entire operation themselves. Baron takes care of the customers, while Rygh prepares the food. Rygh said she enjoys seeing the reaction on customer’s faces when they eat something she just made. “When they bite into it and say, ‘Yum, that’s so good, it’s just awesome,’” she said. “I just love cooking.” Breakfast is available all day. Sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, subs, salads and side items are offered. One of the most popular items is the buffalo chicken cheesesteak sub with ranch dressing.
The OC Chamber of Commerce will present Mark Luterman: “How to Own Your Niche & Grow Rich,” on July 26, 810 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront on 67th Street in Ocean City. The presentation is part of Luterman’s “Small Business Secret Weapon” series. Luterman will share how he used his own techniques to create a huge following in less than six months. Cost is $25 per person and includes breakfast. For more information, or to register, call Lisa Dennis, events director at 410-213-0144, Ext. 104 or e-mail lisa@oceancity.org.
ASC&D named to top 100
OCEAN CITY TODAY/LISA CAPITELLI
A new eatery, 2 Crazy X’s, opened June 1, at 105 Second Street, between Baltimore and Philadelphia avenues.
“It’s messy, but people just love it,” Baron said. Added Rygh, “We’re all about good customer service and everything is fresh. It’s all cooked to order.” Baron said it might take a See ALL on Page 48
Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley has been named a Top 100 independent agency by Allstate Insurance Company for its achievement in superior growth, high standards in customer satisfaction and customer retention in 2011. The award recognizes Atlantic/ Smith, Cropper & Deeley as one of the top independent agencies in auto and property insurance for Allstate and is a testimony to Atlantic/ Smith, Cropper & Deeley’s dedication to assisting customers. Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley is located at 7171 Bent Pine Road, Willards, MD 21874.
Express drive-thru opens at J/R’s Ribs on 131st Street LISA CAPITELLI ■ Assistant Editor (July 20, 2012) J/R’s Ribs on 131st Street bayside has made it convenient for customers in a rush to order some of their favorite items on the go — the uptown restaurant now has an
express drive-thru. Only certain items are available through the drive-thru. Patrons can get burgers, chicken sandwiches and tenders, barbecued baby back ribs and owner Jack Hubberman’s famous, original recipe crispy fried chicken. Side items, such as baked beans,
homemade coleslaw and chunky applesauce, among others, are also available. The restaurant’s signature Maryland crab soup is on the drive-thru menu as well. More items will be added soon. “The menu has items that we can serve quickly,” Hubberman said. “Under normal conditions,
in three and a half to four minutes [customers] should be out of here.” If customers wish to get items not on the drive-thru menu, their entire order must be placed through carryout. J/R’s full restaurant menu is See FRIED on Page 48