Post by funkychic on Apr 3, 2005 22:38:11 GMT -5
I first landed in Wildwood in 2000 after spotting a picture of the LOLLIPOP on a section of the TIMES abandoned on a subway bench. I high-tailed it down to Wildwood immediately to live out my motel fantasies--stayed at the MEMORY, and was SO disappointed that interiors didn't match the mid century modern exteriors. I vowed to stay at every motel in search of one with the right look. I then vowed to convince owners of Wildwood's motels to consider letting me help them with redecorating (most apparently haven't been touched since the 80's, so it's about time anyway!) Just my luck to have been staying at the Caribbean the very weekend the new owners bought it, and just my luck they liked my rendering and gave me the wonderful opportunity to design the new "Doo Wop" rooms.
However, like all of you, I am deeply saddened by the loss of so many motels. Wildwood is a real treasure--and the more press it gets (I plan to publish articles on the Caribbean's restoration in various shelter and other magazines) the more attention Wildwood will get--thus making it possible to preserve what is left of this one-of-a-kind city.
But I also believe that in order to keep the town alive, more owners should consider revamping their properties, which would bring down more mid-century modern enthusiasts from New York City and beyond--and possibly more investors in preserving the motels. It CAN and should be done. The downtown area also has so much potential; the boarded-up movie theater could become a revival house, and the modern storefronts with river rock planters out front could be rehabbed, too. Anyway, I hope what the new owners of the Caribbean have done will inspire others! (I also hope to restore more motels to the look of the 50's and 60's!)
www.funkychicdecorating.com
