Pessano’s Variety Store — Local services in Ocean City

I live in OC during the summer. I sometimes send my children (22, 19, 15, and 11) there for various things. I send them with my credit card as the purchases are for the family. Last year, my children were followed throughout the store and yelled at. They were 10 and 14. It was very upsetting to them. They don’t steal. This year I decided to give them a second chance because of Covid and because supporting local businesses is important to me. This time my 22 year old and her boyfriend drove up to buy 2 beach chairs. (They were wearing masks.) The attitude they received was out of line. My daughter asked to buy one of the Telescope casual chairs on the curb. She was told “no”, she needed to pick out a chair from the back inventory. Then she was told, “you know they cost $100?”. What the heck? Because they are young they can’t afford chairs? With my credit card? Reluctantly, they went to the back and the employee proceeded to bang the chairs on the ground as if irritated to be bothered by a customer prepared to spend $300 on beach chairs. They were very uncomfortable and left. They drove down the street to Island Beach Gear and happily spent $25 more on the same chair(s) with my permission. Best extra $50 I ever spent. Listen, if you are going to discriminate against young people, don’t sell toys. If you hate millennials that much, retire. If you hate customers, close. Both of those 22 years olds are college grads and have very good jobs. You blew it. I’m never going back and...

I like this store. Good selection of beachwears, neat toys, etc. Prices seem fair, I check hoys, some stuff I bought was cheaper at hoys some stuff cheaper at pessano's $2-4 either way.

I deduct stars for the overbearing teenagers who are instructed to follow you around the store and make sure you are not stealing. It's soooo annoying. I was in the store when an adult bounced a volleyball, before it even came back up he was yelled at by one of these teenage security guards to "not play with the balls in the store!". I thought that was pretty funny.

Anyway I've been there 3 times this trip same stalking treatment. Others in my family like my 65yr old mom received the same stalking treatment. She will...

A wonderful Ocean City tradition. We vacation each year in OC and our children (and now grandchildren) love to visit and get a toy at Pessano's. There's every price range imaginable and all the prices are very fair. They stuff lots of goodies into a small sq. footage and the kids eyes light up like Christmas morning when the enter the store. Our grandchildren range from 16 yrs - 1 1/2 and everyone easily finds their own special gift to enjoy during the week and take home as a souvenir. These folks understand what the families visiting OC want and they stock the shelves accordingly. It's an Ocean City...