New North Wildwood business hopes to help homeowners rethink upgrades

If I had a dollar for every time someone has told me their dream is to have a house at the Jersey Shore, I would be a millionaire and could buy my own shore house! There is something special about waking up on the island, knowing the beach and boardwalk are within walking distance.

But when you get that dream house at the shore, many properties are without furniture, or they are outfitted with just the basic necessities. I've seen many people when they move into a new home, and quickly realize there's a lot of "work to do" to make their vision of their beach house a reality.

I recount these experiences because of a new business that is opening in North Wildwood that feels like an ideal opportunity for homeowners living in South Jersey.

New Business Opening Adjacent to the corner of 18th Street and New Jersey Avenue

The mixed-use property located at 1707 New Jersey Avenue was the home of the Shirt Shop for almost a decade before COVID-19 changed the business landscape of North Wildwood six years ago.

According to a press release from Pitch Parlor PR, the new storefront opening this summer is DUNE by Sean Kelly.  A Temple University graduate, Kelly began his career as a professional interior designer in Los Angeles, but returned to the Philadelphia area to open Styled by Sean in 2019.

When I spoke to Sean Kelly about this new flagship location, he told me that DUNE is part of his larger vision as an entrepreneur who came back to the Philadelphia and South Jersey region with a professional purpose:

"The vision has always been clear: bring great design to people in a way that truly resonates. What's evolved is the scale, and this new space finally lets us deliver on that completely. Short term, I want people to walk into DUNE and immediately feel like they found something they didn't know they were looking for — whether that's a piece for their shore house or a full design consultation. Long term, I'm building DUNE as a brand that’s built to last. My hope is that people immediately think of DUNE when it comes to design in this region, from Philadelphia to the Shore and everywhere in between."

But why North Wildwood? The Temple University Graduate revealed that this new venture is as much personal as it is professional:

"North Wildwood is home — literally. I live here, I've designed homes here, and I've watched North Wildwood evolve over the years, firsthand. This community means everything to me, and opening here was never just a business decision. I've designed homes for neighbors a few blocks away and watched this area grow in real time. Being able to live, work, and build something here is something I'm incredibly proud of.”

DUNE by Sean Kelly is scheduled to have their official Grand Opening on Friday, May 29th:

“The Jersey Shore has always been a place people come to feel inspired: to recharge, to invest in their homes, to create spaces that mean something to them. DUNE was built for that client....Our new space gives people access to a truly all-encompassing design experience — from curated pieces they can take home the same day to a full interior design service for their shore house, their Philadelphia home, or both."

This will be a unique addition to the business landscape of not just North Wildwood, but for New Jersey's southernmost county.