Will the Pier survive?

I have been a fan of the Pier since its inception, but things have not gone smoothly over the years. The problems started with a delayed opening. The doors opened 18 months after expected in a staggered opening, thus robbing the town of a dramatic Grand Opening celebration.



The place offers some of the best restaurants in Atlantic City and by far the most elegant shopping you will find in town. However my question is will the Pier survive? There are constant rumors as the profitability of its many high end clients. For sure some of the locales are meeting or exceeding expectations like Buddakan and Game on, but what about the rest of the place. On many a night I have strolled through the corridors of the Pier looking into the high end shops. The game I place is employees or customers. How many stores have more employees than customers ? The answer is everyone except the Apple store and Its Sugar.



There are many reasons that the Pier is not living up to its huge buzz. First off the thing is a bitch to get to. Who the hell wants to walk a mile to have dinner. They NEED valet parking at the boardwalk. How about that fountain show? Its right up there with the Bellagio Fountains or Mirgae's volcano or the 25 cent rocket ship out front of K Mart. Another sore spot is the lack of a nightclub. Initially Jeffery Chodrow's Rum Jungle was supposed to take the spot, but he has since backed out. This leaves the pier without an identity. Given Caesars relationship with PURE nightclub in its Las Vegas location one would assume this is a natural fit. However it seems we are doomed to live another summer without a big draw at the Pier.



This begs the question as to what will happen when all the leases run out and the stores can get the hell out. I would guess condos make the most sense or high end hotel suites. I cannot imagine the Pier remaining as it is for the long. Sorry guys nice try.