It is a bit eerie being in a city on the brink of a major change. That’s how I felt last Thursday evening when I arrived at the Jersey Shore for Labor Day weekend and found myself in Atlantic City for a friend’s birthday. The friends we were meeting were staying at Revel, just a mere few days before it would shut its doors for good. I’m not a gambler, but I’ve been in plenty of casinos, and it was, for lack of a better word, dead. Just a few people here and there were gambling, and it seemed most of the hotel guests were there as a result of comped room nights. The hotel room afforded unbelievable floor-to-ceiling views of the ocean from the 47^th floor, and the land surrounding the casino had been razed for future expansion, leaving a few lone houses that refused to sell before the casino was built standing alone. The hotel décor and design were beautiful and luxurious; hopefully, the building will be resuscitated and find a sustainable future in the luxury hospitality industry. Revel opened April 2, 2012, and shuttered its doors on Sept. 2, 2014, after declaring bankruptcy twice. The property, the tallest in AC and the second-tallest in New Jersey, had two nightclubs, 13 restaurants, two live entertainment venues and multiple swimming pools. Revel’s two nightclubs were popular, and it appears the owners may fight to re-open them in the future. Earlier this week, Showboat Casino also closed, and Trump Plaza will close its doors on Sept. 16. The Atlantic Club closed in January. Atlantic City started 2014 with 12 casinos and will end the year with eight — and almost 8,000 people out of work. As we wandered the boardwalk to dinner, it was hard to tell the city was struggling; families, couples and large groups filled the area; and the stores, restaurants and other casinos looked quite busy. With its future somewhat in the balance, let’s hope for another turnaround. The city has been known to resurrect itself before. — Kim Krol, managing editor