Gov. Chris Christie visited Ocean Grove before stopping at Asbury Park on Friday. Watch video
OCEAN GROVE - Sunny skies and warm (enough) temperatures drew crowds of visitors to Ocean Grove's beach and boardwalks on Friday morning.
However, Gov. Chris Christie stayed blocks away from the newly completed boardwalk to instead take a stroll along a couple blocks of the community's historic downtown.
Christie said he visited Ocean Grove on Friday, because he knew that the media would follow.
"It's to remind folks how great the Jersey Shore is and how great we've recovered from Sandy, in really record time compared to the way Louisiana and Mississippi recovered from Katrina," Christie said after stepping out of Nagle's Apothecary Cafe. "It's three and a half years now since Sandy and it took them a decade in Louisiana."
He said his presence in places like Ocean Grove encourages the business owners and residents that tourism continues to get better and better in New Jersey post-Sandy.
"In three and a half years - with the exception of a couple of thousands residents across the entire Shore who have not moved back into their homes - businesses are back, almost all of the residents are back in their homes," he said. "That's a pretty extraordinary recovery and I want to make sure people know about that and to feel free to come down here and to take advantage of the great beaches and everything else going on here."
The governor spent about a half hour shaking hands, posing for pictures, checking out a classic car and popping into a few businesses, including Nagle's, Ocean Grove Bake Shoppe and Gifts by Tina.
"I think his visit was really important, and I think it did the town some good," said Susan Skokos, who has owned the 142-year-old building on Main Avenue where Gifts by Tina is located since 1982.
"Business has been off in Ocean Grove lately, primarily because of the weather," said Skokos, adding she gave the tenants in her building a month off of their rent due to their slow business. "But did you see all the people here today? I think the governor's visit gave us a terrific boost. And he didn't just walk through here for publicity, you can tell he really cares. I think so, anyway."
While in Ocean Grove, Christie - who had another planned appearance in neighboring Asbury Park scheduled for Friday afternoon - refused to answer some political questions from reporters. But he did joke with at least one person who greeted him with: "Hello, Mr. Vice President."
"You're trying to get me in trouble," Christie said while shaking the man's hand.
Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.