Popular Gardner’s Basin Craft Village Shut Down for Non-Compliance

GARDNER’S BASIN atlantic city


The director of Gardner’s Basin in Atlantic City just sent an email to shocked vendors who rent huts at the popular Crafters Village. Director Lisa Schall asked those affected to remove the contents in their shed, and return their keys to the office.

UPDATE > Crafter’s Village will be open for SUMMER 2017.  ( could be the last season )

Seems like those who run Gardner’s Basin in Atlantic City bent the rules a bit.

Back in the day, when AC took original grant money for Gardner’s Basin, they were prohibited from allowing the land to be used by ‘for-profit’ businesses. Only conservation or recreation based activity was allowed.

Historic Gardner’s Basin was developed in part with Green Acres funds, which are monies designed to create open space. Restrictions come along with that cash. NJ state officials have warned the city in the past: they’re not in compliance with Green Acres restrictions.

After years of non-compliance, vendors not consistent with current requirements, will need to pull up and move out. Bait and tackle shops are cool, but doll makers, picture shops and jewelry are not. Many of the crafters’ sheds don’t fit the definition of allowable use of a Green Acres-funded site.

This could be Atlantic City’s version of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Gardner’s Basin features a hidden treasure of restaurants, bars, shops, charter boats, and of course, the Atlantic City Aquarium.

Green Acres Funding Rules, NJ DEP & National Park Service forced shut down of Gardner’s Basin craft vendor village.

Atlantic City owns the park at Gardner’s Basin, and helps to subsidize the Atlantic City Historic Waterfront Foundation, which leases and runs it. Cost to the City is somewhere in the neighborhood of $265,000 per year.

NOTE: Close by is a yet-to-be developed parcel of ground owned by Jared Kushner. The folks inside City Hall are still kicking themselves, wishing they still owned this prime plot overlooking the inlet. Kushner has no obligation to hand it back. That’s due to a contract clause allowing the President’s son-in-law NOT to build, if the AC economy was in the tank. That parcel of land has been vacant since a 1976 fire. It was the former home to the Garwood Mills discount store. Today, it’s a popular fishing area / dirt field / free parking lot.

Mary Kimberley Cantrell , owner of Kimmies Knick Knack ShackI can’t imagine they would suddenly notify us after sending us our lease notice last month. It’s so shocking. Some stores have been there ten years.

NOTE: The now under-construction inlet Boardwalk project is well on it’s way to connecting the ocean front Boardwalk, with this hidden, under-leveraged jewel known as Historic Gardner’s Basin. Once completed later this year, the Boardwalk will connect Margate to Gardner’s Basin.

ACprimetime believes the Inlet & Gardner’s Basin area is some of the most PRIME Real Estate in Atlantic City. Need more info about commercial development in this area? We recommend reaching out to Sherri Lilienfeld of APEX PRIME REALTY.  (609) 287-1795

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