The weak economy hurt sales at the Gloucester County concession stand at Gloucester Point this summer, as compared to previous years, recreation supervisor Katey Legg said.

Fewer people seemed to be purchasing soft drinks, ice cream and other items at the county-run Beach House, Legg said. She said more people were spotted bringing food and drinks with them, perhaps as a cost-saving measure.

The county took a further hit on concession sales when it closed down the Beach House one week early because of Hurricane Irene in late August, said Carol Steele, director of parks, recreation and tourism. Usually the Beach House closes on Labor Day for its last day of the season.

Much of the equipment at the Beach House was moved prior to the storm to the Rowe Building at Gloucester Point, which was used by the county as a welcome center during the Bicentennial and now is used for storage.

"It didn’t make sense" to spend a lot of staff time reopening the concession stand ...