Asbury Park's Unusual Shopping Locale, Gifts Recall Old World

By Carol Williams/Patch Staff

ASBURY PARK, NJ - Prefer holiday shopping locations a little closer to heaven? Try Asbury Park's Festhalle Biergarten on Lake Avenue which beginning Friday will offer rooftop shopping and photographs with Santa. The beer hall, as it is sometimes known, is sponsoring a "Weihnachts Markt" or holiday market on its Lake Avenue rooftop. The market will feature the work of local artisans and crafters as well as old style European holiday ornaments for those going retro this holiday season.

The event will convene between noon and 7 p.m., if the weather permits, this long weekend of Friday thru Sunday as well as on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, Dec. 9 and 10, Dec. 16 and 17 and Dec. 23. Sponsors also will offer a 10 percent discount on Festhalle items for anyone who brings a new toy that can be donated to the Asbury Park Toy Drive. Live entertainments will be offered as well as a choice of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks of the day.

Photographs of Santa will be available between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

Photograph by Shirley Smith/Associated Press