We’re taking some time to cut through some red tape this week. No, I don’t mean hacking through bureaucracy. I mean cutting the red tape with a pair of big scissors at some ribbon-cuttings we have coming up on Friday, October 30, which the Greater Vineland Chamber Commerce will be partnering.
First up will be ribbon-cuttings at 12 p.m. for 13 new businesses that have opened at The Spot, The Ave’s indoor craft, boutique, antique, and shoptique mall, located at 618 E. Landis Avenue. This is part of the celebration of The Spot’s fifth anniversary. In addition to attendance by Main Street Vineland, Chamber of Commerce, city, county, state, and federal representatives, we would love for you to be there, too. The new businesses specialize in a variety of items, include homemade crafts, vintage collectables, creative artwork, sports paraphernalia, home décor, furniture, and recordings.
Second up, at 1 p.m., will be the ribbon-cutting for New Jersey Senator Michael Testa’s new legislative office, at 610 E. Landis Avenue. Sen. Testa has always been a great friend of The Ave. In addition to his law practice on The Ave, he served as chairperson of the Board of Directors of Vineland Downtown Improvement/Main Street Vineland 15 years ago. His love and dedication for our downtown and what we do has remained constant through the years. Please show your support by coming.
This celebration of new businesses shows that people are choosing The Ave—whether a larger business or, as our “Working on The Ave” campaign promotes, an alternative workspace away from crowded work environments. All that means more foot traffic, which means more business. It’s all part of making The Ave a destination.
“The downtown business climate has a ripple effect on all of Vineland,” said Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dawn Hunter. “So many people look to the downtown as the heart and soul of a city and that’s why I’m excited when we can celebrate new businesses in the downtown, as well as the staying power of established businesses there.”
To top off this busy week, our fifth annual Pumpkin Patch Party is planned for Saturday, October 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, at the mini-parks, Landis Avenue and the Boulevard. The major sponsor is Newfield National Bank, with Lidl as the supporting sponsor. Included in the event will be a trunk-or-treat, courtesy of Toyota of Vineland, with one of their bright, shiny new cars on display and a trunkload of free candy for children age 14 and over who are wearing costumes. Also featured will be a DJ, children’s mask giveaway (courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club), a clown, magic show, pumpkin painting, coloring books, and photo selfies station. COVID-related safety precautions—mask-wearing and social distancing—will be enforced. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.
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Stay tuned for exciting news about Weddings on The Ave promotion in November of the wide variety of wedding-related businesses on The Ave. The major sponsor is Al’s Shoes. You’ll be reading more about this next week.
