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How Long Island’s Adventureland Successfully Markets to Moms
By Joe Connolly and Neil A. Carousso
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Amusement Parks have been on a roller coaster over the past two and a half years with COVID-19 halting rides. But, the business of fun has made a comeback this summer.
“We have bounced back,” said Adventureland president and co-owner Steve Gentile. “We kept a lot of those changes and it’s for the better.”
One of the biggest changes to the park’s business model, Gentile said on the WCBS Small Business Spotlight, sponsored by Dime Community Bank, was charging admission instead of a pay-as-you-go model as it did previously.
“In the very beginning, it was a very big obstacle for us, but now they’re liking it more so because the people that are here inside the park want to be here,” he said.
Gentile said parents have told him Adventureland feels safer because people aren’t wandering into the park only to “hang out.”
Revenue has also increased this year compared to 2019.
“We’re giving you a first-class product here as any amusement park does. And, we’re trying to give you a first-class product – which we feel we are – we’re giving you a safe business – which I feel we are – and a happy place to enjoy with your kids.”
That experience is the selling point to mothers who make a majority of household purchasing decisions, according to several studies of consumer spending.
“The mom is the one that’s making their decision where to spend their entertainment dollar,” said Gentile. “We need to convince mom that we are delivering a safe product here for them and that they can entertain their kids in a safe environment.”
Adventureland opened in 1962. Gentile’s father Tony Gentile bought the park in 1979, which Steve took over when Tony died in 2013.
“I get to work with me, my brother, my three kids, my brother-in-law, two cousins, people that have been working with us for over 20 to 25, 30 years. I say sometimes how lucky we are that we can have such a family unit in the park.”
Being surrounded by family during the worst of the pandemic sustained Gentile’s spirits.
“My brother was speaking with somebody the other day about a recession and he nailed it on the head: ‘If we can get through a pandemic with not being open, I think Adventureland will handle a recession,” he said.
The amusement park owner told WCBS 880 that children’s “happy screams” emanating from the rides are an indication that he’s doing his job right.
“Screams, that tells us that we are succeeding in what we’re doing,” said Gentile. “That’s wonderful stuff that you hear kids screaming in our business that they’re having fun.”
Watch the full interview with Adventureland owner Steve Gentile on the WCBS Small Business Spotlight video above.
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Testing the Knowledge of Yankees Fans
Executive Produced by Carousso Enterprises, LLC.
Bronx, NY — How well-versed are New York Yankees fans about the most storied franchise in professional sports?
Tyler Tierno tests the knowledge of Yankees fans outside The Stadium for this edition of NY2C’s On The Call Trivia.
NY2C’s On The Call is executive produced by Carousso Enterprises, LLC.
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Patriotism and Gluttony on Full Display in Coney Island (Behind-the-Scenes)
Produced by Carousso Enterprises, LLC and NY2C Corp.
Brooklyn, NY — Nothing shows freedom like Coney Island’s annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest!
Hall of Fame eater Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut downed 63 hot dogs and buns to earn his 15th Mustard Belt, defending his greatness against a protester with the sun beating down in the sweltering 4th of July heat.
James Dukas and Ben Manlapaz watched the gluttony unfold up close and take part in their own eating competition on the latest episode of NY2C’s What’s Up New York.
NY2C’s flagship digital series “What’s Up New York” is produced and written by Carousso Enterprises, LLC.
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Places to Have Fun in the NYC Sun
Produced by Carousso Enterprises, LLC and NY2C Corp.
NEW YORK, NY — Schools out for summer!
On the latest episode of What’s Up New York, Alycia Powers and the NY2C team tell you about New York City’s best rooftops and pool clubs to enjoy this summer, including Mr. Purple – one of the city’s hottest clubs on the Lower East Side.
NY2C’s flagship digital series “What’s Up New York” is produced and written by Carousso Enterprises, LLC.
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Five Dimes Brewery Launches ‘BYOF’ to Support Surrounding NJ Businesses
By Joe Connolly and Neil A. Carousso
WESTWOOD, N.J. (WCBS 880) — Chris Alepa had the idea seven years ago to open a craft brewery at the Westwood, New Jersey, location that was home to the family-owned L.N. Grand 5 & 10 Cent Store for 60 years. That became a reality in April, and Five Dimes Brewery’s early success is exceeding Alepa’s wildest dreams.
“When we finally opened the doors, it was a rush to get in,” he said. “It was a good, good feeling.”
On the 250th Small Business Spotlight, sponsored by Dime Community Bank, Alepa explained to WCBS 880 that his goal was to connect neighboring businesses in Westwood and communities in surrounding towns.
“You’re seeing the restaurant next door and the one around the corner, and they’re all having some of the best business they ever had. Even the Irish pub that first might have thought it was a competition thing has been doing fantastic. It’s only helped their business.”
Five Dimes Brewery has a “BYOF” policy or “bring your own food,” which the owner sees is helping local eateries.
“We had people from Greenwood Lake the other day, we had people coming from Rockland County, we had a couple guys coming from Brooklyn. So people are coming from all the different areas now. They want to check the place out. And I think that’s been great for the whole community, putting Westwood on the map and opening the door to see what else the town has to offer.”
Alepa ran into an unusual problem when he opened his craft brewery to such high demand: it ran out of beer.
“We could not find kegs anywhere in America,” he said.
“Once we make our beer, we need to move it out of the tanks, into the kegs, and then, make more so we have a good supply. Well, we didn’t have that ability. All the kegs we would try to get, we couldn’t get. We finally found them in Canada, they got shipped to us, they got held up at U.S. Customs for 30 days,” Alepa explained.
Five Dimes Brewery temporarily closed for several days to rebuild their keg supply. They also hired more workers.
The craft brewery has a rooftop deck where they host private events. They also host tours where you can watch the brewing process in-house.
Home-brewing became widely popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and it has long been a hobby of the founder.
“I’m a chiropractor by training,” said Alepa. “I still do that, but this has been a passion. I’ve been home-brewing and I always thought this would be awesome for the community.”
The entrepreneur also operates Select Wellness, LLC a separate chiropractic, physical therapy and acupuncture practice with locations in Westwood and Fair Lawn. But, he is scaling back to follow his passion of running Five Dimes Brewery.
The company is now canning its popular IPAs, lagers and pilsners for retail.
See what makes Five Dimes Brewery a hit on the 250th Small Business Spotlight video above.
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