OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ) — It’s the end of an era for a fixture on the boardwalk in Ocean City. A popular and unique store is leaving after 50 years of giving beachgoers something to look and talk about.

Mary Bubala has the story.

Strolling on the boardwalk in Ocean City, it’s hard to miss the Ocean Gallery. Every square inch is filled with some type of art.

The eccentric gallery just displayed another piece Thursday featuring a message, that, after 50 years, it’s leaving Ocean City.

“The acknowledgment that Ocean Gallery has done something in the world, has touched not hundreds of thousands of people, but millions of people is a tremendous honor,” gallery owner Joe Kro-Art said.

Joe Kro-Art came to Ocean City in 1964 to sell his paintings. The result was an astounding attraction filled with countless works of art from all around the world.

“But it’s not about the attraction, it’s about people, it’s about you, it’s about emotions, people’s feelings,” he said.

Kro-Art says he’s moving his entire building and everything in it to Hollywood to be a part of a reality TV show.

David Schroder has worked at the gallery for two decades and hates to see it go.

“Who wouldn’t miss this? I always tell people I remember coming here as a kid in the 70s and being freaked out by it. I’ve worked here for 22 years and I’m still freaked out by it,” Schroder said.

“I hate to see it go. It’s been a part of my history since we came here from overseas. It’s one of those things that you just have to stop and see every time you go into Ocean City,” said customer Randy Brennan.

Kro-Art says he will continue to create priceless publicity for Ocean City, but from 3,000 miles away.

Kro-Art hasn’t said what reality TV show he will be featured on. The gallery will remain open in Ocean City for several more months.

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