"How the summer rentals are running is about the best barometer we have right now," she said.
"Early reservations are up," confirmed Ed Mebs, executive director of the Greater Wildwood Hotel and Motel Association. "There's an old saying here that goes, 'When the economy isn't doing well, the Wildwoods are doing great.' "
The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority hopes to use the turbulent times to its advantage. A new ad campaign asks tourists: "Are you free this summer? The Wildwoods are!"
It's a reference to the fact that Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and North Wildwood are among the rare New Jersey resorts with free beach access. Other towns charge as much as $10 for a one-day beach tag.
Eberz and fellow restaurateurs noted last year that vacationers seemed to have discovered the kitchens in their rentals. Supermarkets and fishmongers say they expect to sell even more fresh food for home preparation this summer.
Diners also were apt to have cocktails before heading out instead of buying a bottle of wine with their meal.
Eberz said she would hire as many people as usual for her Shore waitstaffs - about 100 in all - but would economize by putting less money into expensive managers. Thriftier choices, such as hamburgers and local fish, will find their way onto her menus alongside the usual steaks and seafood.
Owners of take-out restaurants say tourists' slimmer wallets are a boon to business.
"People aren't going out as often, but when they're on vacation, they still don't want to cook," said Frank Lupine, manager of Tony's Pizza in Beach Haven. Instead of going to a pricey joint, "they end up ordering a lot of pizza, a lot of takeout.
"We had to hire extra drivers last year just to keep up," Lupine said.
