NCoC "In The News"

Autumn Plantings

While driving or walking on Franklin Avenue, you may have noticed the beautiful fall flowers recently planted in the planters along the thoroughfare. The Nutley Community Preservation Partnership Garden Club has offered its services to the Nutley Chamber of Commerce to  become the Chamber's Planters Committee.

"They have been very actively helpful for the past year," said Dr. Donna Pontoriero, President of the Chamber. "We are so grateful to have this amazing group of new volunteers. They are a huge asset to our organization." The Chamber and the Mayor’s Office have been working together replanting the almost 70 pots for roughly the past five years.

"It's really great to be able to do something enjoyable that you know is also helping the township," said NCPP president Jim Levendusky. "In a minimal amount of time, we were able to help beautify the business district and help present a positive, attractive image to residents and those passing through the township."

The Mayor's Office and the Chamber purchase the materials from Centre Ridge Garden Center at a reduce fare and The NCPP coordinates the volunteer effort.

Although many of the Springtime plants in the containers were still in good condition, the majority were beginning to wither. They were replaced with cold-hardy grass, pansies, and ornamental cabbage. With proper care, this selection should survive several light frosts and continue to be attractive into the holiday season.

"Watering is the key," said Pontoriero. "We want to thank all the business owners along the avenue who take care of the planters in front of their business. You do a great job and we ask that you try to remember to water them 2-3 times each week as you have in the past." The Chamber would also like to ask the public to help us keep them looking beautiful and liter free.

Nutley residents interested in joining the garden club can visit preservenutley.org for more information. To contact the NCPP Garden Club, e-mail suggestions@preservenutley.org, or leave a message at 973-667-7165.

If you have ever wondered what The Nutley Chamber of Commerce does, here is the text book description: "Since 1953, The Nutley Chamber of Commerce has represented businesses and professionals working together to promote the economic development of our town. It is an integral part of Nutley's small hometown character. It is a voluntary, non-profit, private organization. The NCoC is autonomous and independent, neither seeks nor accepts financial aid from any other organization. Financed entirely by membership dues, the Chamber is not supported by tax dollars, affiliated with town government nor answerable to any other organization. It is solely loyal to its members and our community."

But within recent years, they have really grown to be so much more. The Chamber, with their President, Dr. Donna Pontoriero, is working closely with Mayor Cocchiola and the other Commissioners to develop business development plans for our business districts. The Chamber's immediate goals are to become more involved in the township’s decisions on issues that directly concern our business owning members.

"We recognize we have no 'official' say in township decisions," said Pontoriero. "But we appreciate the fact that the decision makers are interested in hearing from us."

Chamber Members benefit from many new programs and membership has grown from 97 to 130 in just over a year. Foremost, through monthly luncheons, special events and email, members communicate, network and exchange ideas and services. Those ideas are often presented as a unified voice of the business community to the township.

Using today's technology, the organization has also matured. "We are not your father's Chamber of Commerce," says Rich Spector, NCoC Office Manger. "Every Member has space on www.nutleychamber.com where customers, clients, patients, venders and associates can find information about them." The Chamber website also offers information about membership, benefits, the township, New Jersey business news, upcoming events, etc.

Along with simpler benefits such as member to member discount exchanges and the Business Reference and Referral Library where Member's menus, rate cards, brochures, facility rental information, and fliers are kept to aid in answering incoming calls and make referrals, the Chamber also offers its members email forwarding to announce community support efforts, business anniversary or expansions.

The Chamber also serves as a business information hub. They have formed alliances with other regional Chambers, New Jersey and local business media, and government offices.

And of course, The Chamber still sponsors the annual 5K Fun Run, Santa's Arrival and the Franklin Ave. and Centre St. Planters. Now Chamber Member also benefit from many Members Only discount perks and incentives such as deep discounts on Broadway, off-Broadway productions, half price tickets to Great Adventure, free magazine subscriptions, etc.

With the recent addition of the Nutley Public Library to the Membership, the Chamber and the Library both have benefited. "The Library's vast business resources can be an enormous aid to any business owner," said Joanne Tropiano, Director of the Nutley Public Library.

"One of the biggest advances and advantages our Members get now is the amount of business exposure we can provide," said Dr. Pontoriero. "We work very hard at getting as much recognition for our Members as possible." The Chamber offers inexpensive advertising opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, press releases, a newsletter, and as mentioned before, the Chamber web site.

"I have definitely seen an increase in business because of my listing on the Chamber's web site," said new Member Dr. Michele Segal.

And finally, the Chamber stands behind its Members. This was most recently seen at a Commissioner's meeting. Several Chamber Members including the California Wine Hardware Company, Oolala Boutique, The Glass Gallery, Capalbo's Gift Basket, Prints Charming, and the Dog, Cat & Bird Clinic, Feiler Dental, Nutley Red Cross, asked the township to designate their business district near the intersection of Chestnut Street and Passaic Ave. as Nutley's Olde Town Centre. The Chamber was proud to endorse and encourage their efforts and is looking forward to working closely with those members.

"Being a Chamber of Commerce Member," said Vince LoCurcio, Vice President of the Chamber, "is about the business owners acting as a group and not as individuals. Which in turn serves the whole township." For more information about benefiting from a Nutley Chamber of Commerce Membership, call 973-667-5300, email chamber@nutleychamber.com.

Summer Planters

On Saturday 6/9/07, Nutley Chamber of Commerce volunteers planted summer floral arrangements in the planters around town. The planters are joint effort between the Chamber and the Mayor's Office to beatify Nutley. Both offices wish to thank Centre Ridge Nursery for their contribution of service and discounts on this on-going project.The NCPP, an organization committed to preserving the unique character of our town and enhancing communication and foster a partnership between our community and government in order to encourage appropriate development, joined the Chamber more than a year ago and has become an intricate part of the NCoC.

Please help keep the planters beautiful by keeping them watered and litter free.

Left to right, Front row: Garden Club Chairlady Jackie Camelia, Dori Popadick, Janice Schoem, Angela Buro, Annette LaFoon, Mary Appel and Elizabeth Boele. Second Row: Jim Levendusky, Carol Gallagher, Joe Colucci, Gail Dylewski and Walt Dylewski.Third row: Proponent's Joe Barrett and Don Powers.