Future of Atlantic Avenue Dumsers in Question

The Atlantic Avenue Dumser’s in Ocean City has been a hot topic among both locals and visitors lately.

There have even been Facebook groups created about it.

The future of the Ocean City family favorite is under question because of the building’s owners.

47ABC met with the Mayor of Ocean City to learn more about the issue.

Mary Holt, a longtime Ocean City visitor, said, “Dumsers has been here since my children were little. We’ve been coming here for 30-something years and it’s a tradition that we generally always come to Dumser’s to buy them icecream.”

Terry Daniel, another Ocean City visitor, said, “I’ve been coming to Dumser’s since I was [my son’s] age. I mean, this is the one, this is the icon on the boardwalk. Everybody comes here, my whole family comes here, everybody I know comes here!”

The future of the institution is unclear.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan explained, “The original agreement for that property was I believe, written in 1966. It was for 50 years with 25 years and then a 25-year option. That has all expired.”

Since 2016, the Town of Ocean City has owned the property, but there’s a catch.

“Currently the Nathan Rapoport family is receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars, a year in rent, from Dumser’s. The town of Ocean City, the taxpayers, the general public, is receiving very few dollars in return,” Mayor Meehan said.

Since the property, the lease and more are all under review, many are worried that this Dumser’s location may not survive.

“I could only imagine if I come here tomorrow, or the day after, or next year and Dumser’s is no longer here. I wouldn’t be happy,” said Ocean City visitor, Kamil Lamidi.

Town officials said they don’t plan to derail the family business.

“Dumser’s has never been a target of the Town of Ocean City. You know? There are seven Dumser’s locations in Ocean City and it’s an Ocean City tradition and they’ve built a great family business and our goal certainly isn’[t to do anything intentionally to disrupt that business,” said Mayor Meehan.

For Ocean City, visitors and town officials, the goal is to find a solution that will allow everyone to move forward – and keep Dumser’s where it’s always been.

“Our goal is to have this work out in the best interest of our taxpayers, our visitors, the lessor and the lease, however we can manage that will be our goal,” Mayor Meehan said.

We will keep our website and Facebook page updated as we learn more.