Not so fast! The Brick Ocean Ice Palace continues to live!
Do you remember the famous quote from Mark Twain?
“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
Who knew Mark Twain and Ocean Ice Palace in Brick, New Jersey would have so much in common? Just two weeks ago, I wrote this article on the closure of the Ice Palace.
Indeed the owners posted this message on their social networks:
“After nearly 60 years of family-owned businesses, Ocean Ice Palace & Ocean Hockey Supply will close their doors at the end of this month. We are extremely grateful to all of the friends who have become family members and to the customers who have become friends during The decision was not taken lightly and certainly not without much thought.
Other than that, they were speechless. Now we know why.
The Dwulet family sold it and it was officially put to rest on Tuesday. But the hockey arena will live!
This is because George Halivand, CEO of Harmony Hockey Group and its Work Play Group partners, now owns it. And George is determined to keep the Ice Palace as a hockey rink.
You see, George grew up playing hockey, and his family is a big hockey family. “It’s such a historic rink, not just in New Jersey but across the country,†Halivand told patch.com. “When I was a kid, I played the Garden State Games at Ocean Ice Palace.”
His own children are playing. His own father participated in a national tournament organized by the rink. In addition, hockey is their business. Harmony Hockey Group owns the New Jersey Titans who play for the North American Hockey League. His company also just bought the Jersey Shore Whalers whose home ice cream was … wait for it … Ocean Ice Palace.
Halivand says that by buying the Whalers he wanted them to have their home.
And The Brick will always have his beloved hockey rink. There are plans to create new party rooms and update the changing rooms.
It’s good to see a story end so well!
The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski. All opinions expressed are those of Jeff Deminski.