By: Russell Swanson, Columnist
Event Trifecta on May 15 to help businesses on The Ave.
The Ave means business!! This was plainly clear Wednesday of last week as Main Street Vineland hosted a Main Street New Jersey Regional Kickoff Workshop. We put out the welcome mat for Main Street and civic leaders from throughout the state for a day-long workshop at Grant Plaza. Matthew Wagner, Ph.D., vice-president of Revitalization Programs for the National Main Streets Center, gave a detailed presentation on how we can work the Main Street approach into developing our downtowns. We will certainly be looking to adapt what we learned to our downtown. I’m happy to say that I saw several of the tools presented that we are already using with success. Just as important, it gave an opportunity for leaders from other communities to see The Ave and the progress we’ve made. I want to thank everyone at Grant Plaza for hosting the event and Landis Pig Roast for catering the refreshments.
I’m using this as a prelude to commenting on a business-related trifecta on Wednesday, May 15. It starts at 1 p.m. as the South Jersey Federal Union hosts a grand opening at their new location at 818 E. Landis Avenue. We’ll want to support them as they bring new life to the former Vineland Savings & Loan Association building.
From to 2 to 5 p.m., we’ll have our next Realtor Tour on The Ave. It’ll start at the Main Street Vineland office, 603 E. Landis Avenue, for networking and light refreshments, followed at 2:30 by an overview of the vision for the downtown and the incentives that can be offered. The actual tour will follow at 3 p.m., as those participating will be shuttled to each property. We thank the Vineland Board of Education for use of one of their buses. Property owners are being requested to have fact-sheets ready for the brokers, agents, and investors at the time of the visit. Interested brokers, agents, investors, and entrepreneurs need to contact the Main Street Vineland office by calling 856-794-8653 or e-mailing mainstreet@vinelandcity.org.
We then move on to the Landis Theater, 830 E. Landis Ave., as we join with the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce for a Meet-and-Greet, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. These Meet-and-Greets are opportunities to bring the various downtown and area businesses and the public together, along with Main Street Vineland and Vineland Chamber of Commerce representatives. They’re also opportunities to share news about the latest happenings on The Ave and elsewhere in Vineland. One and all, come and join us!
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Speaking of the Landis Theater, you’ll want to head down there this Saturday, May 4, for the Bay Atlantic Symphony’s last concert of the 2018-19 season. Maestro Jed Gaylin will conduct a program consisting of Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, featuring renowned violinist Alexi Kenney, a world-premiere work by New Jersey composer Amanda Harberg, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s beloved Pastoral Symphony. The concert starts at 3 p.m., preceded by a “Pre-Concert Conversation with the Maestro” at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 each, plus service charges. Student tickets are $10, with proper ID. They can be obtained by calling 856-691-3600 or visiting landistheater.com.
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Don’t forget about our Run The Ave 5K, which will take place, rain or shine, on Sunday, June 23, starting at 9 a.m. We’re partnering with Second Capital Running for this event, with Premier Orthopaedic Associates as the major sponsor. Register now by Visiting TheAve.biz, and going to the event link. It’s is $20 per runner (no walkers). Proceeds will benefit Main Street Vineland’s efforts.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
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This is all the more reason to make The Ave your destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment needs. Save money on gasoline, avoid the long lines at the big-box stores, malls, and shopping centers, and take in the rich variety of fun things to do—right in your own backyard.
For more information on Main Street Vineland, call 856-794-8653, visit TheAve.biz or check them out on Facebook. You can also e-mail rswanson@vinelandcity.org.
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