**End of an Era: Ocean City's Iconic Wonderland Pier Closes**

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - The iconic "Giant Wheel" that has long greeted vacationers heading to Ocean City, New Jersey, will soon be a nostalgic memory. Known for its 140-foot height, the ride has been a symbol of the Jersey Shore town's family-friendly allure, characterized by its serene beaches, charming boardwalk, and the famed Gillian's Wonderland Pier. This amusement park, run by multiple generations of Mayor Jay Gillian's family, closed its doors on Sunday, succumbing to financial struggles amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and lingering effects of Superstorm Sandy.

For 94 years, the Gillian family has overseen amusement rides and attractions on the Ocean City Boardwalk, with the current iteration, Wonderland, operating since 1965. "I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly difficult challenges each year," Mayor Jay Gillian stated in August when he announced the park's closure. "It's been my life, my legacy, and my family. But it's no longer a viable business."

The park's final day saw families, including Sheryl Gross and her two children and five grandchildren, enjoying the rides one last time. "I've been coming here forever," Gross reminisced. "My daughter is 43, and I've been coming here since she was 2 years old in a stroller. Now I'm here with my grandchildren."

On Sunday, visitors lined up for popular attractions such as the Giant Wheel and the log flume, eager to use ride tickets they had purchased earlier in the year. Many had assumed Wonderland would continue indefinitely. Bill Merritt, representing the non-profit organization Friends of OCNJ History and Culture, expressed the community’s desire to preserve the amusement park, revealing that the group has raised over $1 million towards what could be a $20 million price tag for the property.

"Ocean City will be fundamentally different without this attraction," Merritt said. "The park has rides targeted at kids; it's called 'Wonderland' for a reason."

Eustace Mita, CEO of Icona Resorts, acquired the property in 2021 when the Gillian family faced potential default on bank loans. Initially proposing a $150 million luxury hotel on Ocean City's boardwalk, the plan was not approved by the city. Presently, Mita has yet to propose a new use for the Wonderland property, indicating that he will decide by the year's end.

Gillian noted at a recent community meeting the significant challenges the park has faced, including the financial impacts of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the 2020 pandemic, and increased payroll costs due to New Jersey's higher minimum wage, leading to $4 million in debt. Despite financial aid from Mita to stave off a sheriff's sale and a three-year grace period to turn the business around, the park could not recover.

Emphasizing the park's importance, Merritt remarked, "You look at it with your heart, and you say 'You're losing all the cherished memories and all the history; how can you let that go?' And then you look at it with your head and you say, 'They are the reason this town is profitable; how can you let that go?'"