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Cape May to Host Monument Honoring WWII Navy Heroes of the Battle of the Atlantic

Issue #322

April 19, 2025

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather 

🍽Cape May to Host Monument Honoring WWII Navy Heroes of the Battle of the Atlantic

‍ 👮‍ Music Fest Brings Possible Late-Night Extension for Seaport Pier

 🎡 Stock Up Now: Another USPS Rate Increase Could Hit Mailboxes in July 

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 April 19

OUR NEW EVENT SUBMISSION FORM

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Cape May Snaps: Where Art, Memory, and Innovation Come Together

Nestled in the Washington Commons near Cape May’s iconic mall — affectionately referred to by locals as “the back of the Acme parking lot” — you’ll find a store unlike any other. Cape May Snaps, owned and operated by Brian Dunleavy, isn’t just another souvenir shop. It’s a creative hub where vacation memories are turned into keepsakes, and local art is brought to life in unexpected ways.

The idea for the store began on a wave — literally. Dunleavy was surfing in Brazil when he encountered a local craftsman printing photos on ceramic tiles. After getting one of himself riding a wave, he was hooked. “I couldn’t stop doing it,” he says. He learned the technique, called dye sublimation, and returned to Cape May determined to bring the process — and its emotion-filled results — home.

That was five years ago. Since opening on May 1, Dunleavy has transformed Cape May Snaps into more than just a print shop. While photo printing on ceramic, slate, metal, and canvas remains the core of the business, the store has grown into a unique hybrid of personalized gift shop, local gallery, and digital darkroom — all with a Cape May twist.

What sets Cape May Snaps apart is its fusion of tech and artistry. Visitors can walk in with a photo on their phone and walk out within an hour with that memory printed on a sleek metal panel, a rustic slate, a vibrant tile, or even a mug. “Most people have hundreds of photos in their phones that they never look at again,” Dunleavy says. “This makes it real. It turns a digital memory into something tangible and beautiful.”

And while tourists often bring in beach photos or family moments from their Cape May vacation, Dunleavy says most of the photos he prints aren’t actually of Cape May. They come from all over — weddings, baby photos, travel pics, and tributes to loved ones or pets who have passed. Each one is carefully guided through the process, with Dunleavy helping customers choose the right format, material, and finish.

Beyond personal photos, Cape May Snaps also features the work of local artists and photographers. Cape May legends like Werner Tedesco, Wendy Redelico, Patricia Rainey, and Joe Evangelista are among the featured contributors. Some of their pieces hang in the store, but many more live in the archives, ready to be printed on demand. “What you see on the wall, you can buy. But it’s also about what you don’t see — because I’ve got it, and I can make it,” says Dunleavy.

He even prints for artists who aren’t physically featured in the shop, expanding the store’s impact beyond its walls. “This gallery is different. It’s collaborative. It’s not just what’s hanging — it’s what’s possible,” he explains.

That collaborative spirit extends to younger artists as well. One standout is Ella, a local teen who started selling welded horseshoe art in the store at age 11. “How can you not support that?” Dunleavy says with a smile.

The store isn’t focused on high-end fine art pieces either — most items are priced affordably, and Dunleavy often offers discounts for customers who order multiple prints. “We’re not the $1,200 gallery,” he says. “We’re the place where you can get something real, meaningful, and beautiful — usually for under $100.”

 For those who can’t take it home right away, Dunleavy ships nationwide — and even internationally. While online orders are available through capemaysnaps.com, he strongly encourages first-timers to come into the store for the full experience. “Once someone sees what we do here, they get it. They feel it. And then they come back — or send friends and family.”

He’s even had customers pull images from friends’ Facebook pages, secretly turn them into gifts, and leave their loved ones in tears. “If everybody in America knew about this store,” Dunleavy says, “they’d do it.”

So why come to Cape May Snaps? It’s simple: to bring home something that doesn’t just remind you of your trip, but becomes a part of your life. Something that looks good on your wall, feels good in your hands, and says, “I remember this moment.”

And yes — if you’re wondering — Brian still surfs. “Not as much as I’d like,” he admits with a laugh. “But when there’s waves, I’m out there.”


Have a Merchant You Want to see Featured?

Cape May to Host Monument Honoring WWII Navy Heroes of the Battle of the Atlantic

 

 Cape May will be the site of a new monument honoring U.S. Navy sailors who died in the Battle of the Atlantic, including the 131 men lost aboard the USS Jacob Jones, which was sunk just off Cape May in 1942. Supporters of the project say the monument will serve as a powerful tribute to the sailors who gave their lives to protect Allied supply routes and national security during one of the most critical maritime campaigns of the war. At the time, Germany’s U-boat attacks along the East Coast severely disrupted shipping and exposed the region’s vulnerabilities. Supported by City Council, the memorial will be located on Beach Avenue and led by a team of local leaders and architect John Boecker. The memorial is expected to draw visitors from across the country, reinforcing Cape May’s reputation as a place of history, heritage, and patriotism. Organizers also aim to raise funds for the monument through a nationwide donation campaign. Fundraising for the project will be done through a nationwide campaign. More details can be found here.

 

Music Fest Brings Possible Late-Night Extension for Seaport Pier

 Wildwood's City Council has conditionally approved extended alcohol service hours at Seaport Pier during the Barefoot Country Music Fest, pending state approval. The venue seeks to serve alcohol until 3 a.m. during the June event. Under the city’s conditions, live music at the venue must conclude by 11 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday, and by midnight on Friday and Saturday. Outdoor alcohol sales must end by 12:30 a.m. nightly, with outdoor consumption wrapping up by 1 a.m. Any activity taking place between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. must occur inside the venue.

Stock Up Now: Another USPS Rate Increase Could Hit Mailboxes in July 

 The USPS is proposing a price increase that would raise the cost of a Forever stamp from 73 to 78 cents starting July 13, pending regulatory approval. For context, the price of a first-class stamp in 1985 was just 22 cents. When the Forever stamp debuted in 2007, it was priced at 41 cents.This announcement arrives amid ongoing shifts within the postal agency. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy resigned in March after nearly five years in the role, stating that the USPS is now on a path to financial health and operational modernization.

What is the name of the U.S. Navy facility established in Cape May during World War II that played a crucial role in protecting the East Coast from submarine threats?

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Answer to the April 18th Trivia Question

Cape May is renowned as one of the best locations in North America for observing which natural phenomenon, attracting enthusiasts from around the world?

A) Northern Lights
B) Whale Breeding Grounds
C) Autumn Bird Migration
D) Solar Eclipses

Answer: C) Autumn Bird Migration

Cape May serves as a major migratory route for hundreds of bird species each fall. The peninsula's unique geography funnels birds into the area, making it a premier destination for birdwatchers and ornithologists who come to observe and study a diverse array of migrating birds during the autumn months.

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