After 94 Years, Gillian's Wonderland Pier To Close In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — A hallmark of the Ocean City Boardwalk, Gillian's Wonderland Pier, will be closing in October, owner and Mayor Jay Gillian announced Friday.

In a letter shared to Wonderland's social media, Gillian said that Wonderland and 6th Street Pizza and Grill would remain open through Indian Summer Weekend - the weekend of the Fall Block Party, Oct. 12 and 13 - to give people time to use up their tickets.

Gillian said that he had "little choice but to retire and close" the businesses after 47 years of him working, with 94 years of tradition of Wonderland. It's been operated by the Gillian family since 1929.

"It's been my life, my legacy and my family," Gillian said. "It's sad to let go."

The future of Wonderland is unclear at this point.

"I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible - through increasingly difficult challenges each year," Gillian said. "But it's no longer a viable business."

A multi-year lease will be terminated in the coming months, he said.

Wonderland was at risk of foreclosure in 2021, when local developer and Icona Resorts CEO Eustace Mita joined Gillian as a co-owner and saved it from closure.

"The property itself is no longer mine, so I can't speak to its future," Gillian said. "But I'll always have a lifetime of priceless memories, and I hope you will too."