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shop Ridgewood : North Jersey businesses boost social media sophistication

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PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACTS

AUGUST 19, 2015    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015, 8:56 AM
BY MELANIE ANZIDEI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

With more and more potential customers flocking to Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and other social-media options, small businesses stand to benefit from having a more dynamic and engaging online presence.

Small businesses are becoming more sophisticated in their use of social media, picking and choosing what works best for them, while at the same time effectively gauging the return on their investment in social media.

For custom storage company California Closets, which opened a Ridgewood location in July, social media was one way it got the word out about its new storefront.

“Before, [social media] was a fun thing to do,” said Melanie Statlander, 37, marketing manager for the company’s North Jersey outlets. “Now, you really can promote your business.” Statlander directs social media messages now to target specific audiences. To announce the opening of the Ridgewood store, “I boosted a post only within a five-mile radius of Ridgewood,” she said.

The success of Statlander’s social media campaigns is measured by how many users actually come in and buy the company’s product. Recently, a customer said she found the company through Facebook.

“It’s good to reach people [through social media], but you want to reach the right people — your clients,” she said.

California Closets, which has more than 100 showrooms nationwide, has the advantage of a staff that can sustain an engaging social media presence. Though Statlander is responsible for the company’s North Jersey Facebook and Twitter pages — in addition to her other marketing duties, the company’s California-based corporate office has one person working solely on the company’s Instagram and Pinterest pages, which helps promote the company’s overall brand more aggressively and nationally.

For smaller businesses, having one employee committed to social media is not always an option.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/north-jersey-businesses-boost-social-media-sophistication-1.1394341

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Tonight Ridgewood Guild Movies in the Park Features Harry Potter – Special Event

harry potter

 

The Ridgewood Guild will feature a complimentary movie for your enjoyment! Pack a picnic basket, bring your family and pull up some turf in Van Neste Park. Movies start when the sun goes down…about 8pm. August 19th – Harry Potter (Special Event)

Join us in  for family fun and entertainment. We show films great for the whole family on a 25 foot screen and professional sound system. Bring snacks, a picnic blanket, and get ready for a great evening with your community.

2015 Movies in the Park Schedule

All movies are on Wednesdays and start at sundown (approximately 9pm in June and July and 8:30pm in August). In case of rain movies will be shown the following day (Thursday). Follow-us on Facebook for the latest information.

June 10: Star Wars
June 24: Citizen Kane
July 8: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
July 22: Momma Mia!*
August 5: Murder on the Orient Express
August 19: Harry Potter and the Sorcer’s Stone*

*Join us for an event with food, music and more!

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Ridgewood Guild offers art, music, films

Ridgewood _guild_art_music_theridgewoodblog

AUGUST 14, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Ridgewood Guild is giving residents an opportunity to take in cultural programs, free of charge, on several evenings throughout the summer.

One such program is Music in the Night, a live music performance hosted by the Guild each Friday.

The event, which takes place primarily outside Guild businesses, features musicians of all sorts, “from soloists to five-piece groups and in between,” according to the organization’s president, Tony Damiano.

The performers also range in age, with 11-year-old Jake Thistle being the youngest thus far, Damiano said. Many students from Ridgewood High School also grace the stage.

https://www.northjersey.com/arts-and-entertainment/art/guild-offers-art-music-films-1.1392427

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Sidewalk sale comes up big for Ridgewood stores, shoppers

parking CBD fullhouse theridgewoodblog.net

AUGUST 14, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The response from downtown retailers and patrons makes it clear: last week’s Summer Sidewalk Sale was a success.

The sale, which took place on Aug. 6 through 8, involved Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce businesses, which set up their wares outside in the sunshine. This helped to draw in customers, as passersby browsed a store’s merchandise without actually entering the storefront.

“People who don’t normally go to your store will pass by, see merchandise out [on the sidewalk], buy stuff and come in and take a look at what you have,” said Victor Idy, owner of Victor’s clothing store. “You make a lot of customers that way. It softens up your store; it makes it more appealing to customers who might not have come in to come in.”

In addition to drawing new customers, the sidewalk sale attracts new visitors to downtown Ridgewood, noted Walter Boyer, co-owner of Bookends.

“I think what it does is it increases foot traffic to our town, which is obviously very important,” he said. “I think a lot of shoppers from neighboring towns come here, so we get a lot of exposure from not just Ridgewood residents, but from other neighboring towns who come to these types of events.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/sidewalk-sale-comes-up-big-for-businesses-customers-1.1392395

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shop Ridgewood : Ridgewood’s business district stays on upswing

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AUGUST 12, 2015    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2015, 10:42 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

A renaissance of sorts is taking place in downtown Ridgewood, one of many business districts to nearly bottom out during the recession born in the previous decade.

In late 2009, two years after the collapse of the once-robust housing market, The Ridgewood News identified roughly 40 vacant storefronts in the Central Business District (CBD), and a handful of others teetered financially. That was, however, as low as the times would go.

Fortunes began to change as merchants made smarter business decisions and consumer confidence grew.

“It felt like a whole different time back then, but you could sense a turnaround coming,” according to Joan Groome, executive director of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce.

Just one year after reaching basement numbers, the amount of downtown vacancies was slashed in half. Groome had accompanied the newspaper on a walking tour of the CBD in late summer of 2010 and counted just 20 empty storefronts.

She was back out there with The Ridgewood News last week, cutting through Tuesday morning humidity to evaluate the downtown business climate on the eve of this weekend’s Summer Sidewalk Sale. During the stroll, she remarked on the business district’s recovery and the community-wide effort to improve the CBD.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/downtown-ridgewood-stays-on-upswing-1.1391054

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The Ridgewood Chamber hosts a “call to action” meeting on Hudson Street Parking Garage

Hudson_street_parking_theridgewoodblog

Ridgewood Chamber Board of Directors Meeting
August 12, 2015 @ 8:00am – Chamber Office
for more details call 201-445-2600
[email protected]

PARKING GARAGE –
We are so excited -88 years the Chamber has been working on getting a parking garage for the Village of Ridgewood.
We are hopeful that this will happen soon!

Thursday, August 20 at 8:30am-Chamber office
The Ridgewood Chamber now invites you to a
“call to action” meeting to put the facts on paper why this garage will not:
cost the residents more taxes,
why it will save their “downtown town”.
All businesses have a vested interest in
this parking garage.
Ridgewood NEEDS to bring the infrastructure of its business district up-to-date –
NOW IS THE TIME.

Ridgewood Parking Garage Facts
Yes     No
Parking Garage Needed         X
Developer Interest               X
Land Study                    X
Zero Cost to tax payer  X
Vote                           X
First “call to action” meeting…
Please call 201-445-2600,
if you are attending.

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A serious accident waiting to happen?

crosswalk planters

August 12,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, We love the flowers but are the planters & large blooming plants stationed at corners on East Ridgewood Avenue in the Central Business District making it difficult for small pedestrians – children – approaching crosswalks to see approaching car,s and/or making it difficult for approaching cars to see them?

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Kilwins Celebrates their First Anniversary – Aug 8

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Kilwins Celebrates their First Anniversary – Aug 8

Kilwins Ridgewood
1st Anniversary Celebration!

In-store specials all day,
Saturday, August 8th, 2015 ONLY!

11am-12pm
Free single scoop of ice cream
(limit 1 per person, in a dish)

12pm-2pm
Free 2oz bag of fresh caramel corn
(first 200 customers)

2pm-4pm
$2.00 off a traditional caramel apple
(regularly $4.95)

4pm-6pm
Free upgrade to waffle cone
with any ice cream purchase

6pm-11pm
BOGO all fudge slices

Visit Us at 121 E Ridgewood Ave

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New signs point Ridgewood shoppers in right direction

street signs

file photo Boyd Loving

AUGUST 5, 2015    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015, 2:28 PM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

New signs erected in the Central Business District (CBD) aim to inform pedestrians of the local businesses and restaurants that can be found on side streets of the village’s main drag.

Residents and visitors patronizing downtown Ridgewood can now use one of the four existing way-finding signs along East Ridgewood Avenue to help them identify places not easily visible from the main roadway.

These way-finding signs are currently situated at the corners of Oak Street, Chestnut Street, North Broad Street and, most recently, South Broad Street at East Ridgewood Avenue.

The concept of way-finding signs in the CBD was presented by Chamber of Commerce President Paul Vagianos to the Village Council in February and was given good reviews by members of the governing body.

“I think it makes a lot of sense to highlight the businesses on the side streets,” said Councilman Michael Sedon at that meeting. “I agree with your initial thinking. If you’re walking down the main thoroughfare, those businesses are right there in front of you.”

The purchase of a black with gold trim die-cast metal sign is open to all businesses located on a side street, regardless of chamber membership. Businesses located on East Ridgewood Avenue are not eligible to have a sign on the posts. The project also does not extend beyond the railroad tracks.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/new-signs-point-shoppers-to-stores-1.1386715

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Village of Ridgewood Summer Sidewalk Sale Days

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Summer Sidewalk Sale Days
Thu, August 06, 2015 – Sat, August 08, 2015
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Downtown Ridgewood, E Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Event Description

Participating Stores:
Alex and Ani 134 E. Ridgewood Ave
Anik 119 E. Ridgewood Ave
Beauty Plus Salon 25 E. Ridgewood Ave
Bookends 211 E. Ridgewood Ave
Brain Balance Allendale-by Park
B Witching 130 1/2 E. Ridgewood Ave
DoubleTake Consignment 189 E. Ridgewood Ave
Duxiana 63 E. Ridgewood Ave
Family Chiropractors of Ridgewood-E. Ridgewood
Femmebot 203 E. Ridgewood Ave
Fusion Academy Englewood-In front of the Park
Goldfish Swim School
Gypsy Warrior 125 E. Ridgewood Ave
Huntington Learning Center- In front of Park
Just Our Shoes/Mephisto 16 N. Walnut St
Kate Spade 202 E. Ridgewood Ave
Leapn’ Lizards-E. Ridgewood Ave.
Learning Express 111 E. Ridgewood Ave
Little Skye Children’s Store-171 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Loft 41 Jewelry Studio 41 E. Ridgewood Ave
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt 171 E. Ridgewood Ave
Panico Salon & Spa 144 E. Ridgewood Ave
P. Smith & Co. 65 E. Ridgewood Ave
Persifor-by the Park
Park West Tavern
Pink Bungalow 185 E. Ridgewood Ave
RACEFASTER 211 E. Ridgewood Ave
Red Velvet Luxe 59 E Ridgewood Ave
Ridgewood Bootery 200 E. Ridgewood Ave
Serene Yoga Reiki & Massage- E. Ridgewood Ave.
Shoe Inn – 53 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Storm Guard Restoration by the Park
The Couture Baby 82 E. Ridgewood
Town & Country Apothecary 60 E. Ridgewood Ave
40 Day Reset – by Park

VINYASA YOGA BY EQUINOX
Equinox Paramus, the leaders in luxury fitness, bring you Vinyasa yoga with one of our renowned instructors before you hit the Ridgewood Sidewalk Sale. Participate in a more athletic approach to yoga characterized by flowing poses and sequences that are linked to the breath. Mats will be provided and all levels are welcome.
Van Neste Square
August 8
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
RSVP to [email protected]

For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com

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Price tags Soar for Municipal Construction Projects

Village Hall flood theridgewoodblog.net

file photo by Boyd Loving

Price tag for Bergen County DPW facility grows by a Staggering $5 million

This has “Ridgewood parking garage” written all over it

AUGUST 5, 2015, 9:39 PM    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2015, 7:36 AM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

The new Bergen County public works maintenance facility in Paramus will cost at least $5 million more to build than originally estimated, County Executive James Tedesco told the freeholders Wednesday.

The project, which had been estimated to cost $16 million, has cost $21 million thus far, Tedesco said.

He also said the project, scheduled to open on Oct. 1, is about seven months behind schedule from it’s originated projected completion date in March.

Related:   Cost of Bergen County Justice Center expected to grow by $1.3M

Tedesco has been saying for months that the facility was “underfunded.” But Wednesday marked the first time he specified how much more money it would cost.

The DPW facility is part of a larger multi-project $147-million bond issue that also includes a new Justice Center and parking deck and another DPW garage in Hackensack. Taken together, the work is the largest public works project in the county’s history.

Tedesco said the Justice Center and parking garage are close to coming in on budget. The five-story parking garage is set to open later this summer and the adjacent six-story Justice Center is about six weeks behind schedule, he said. The Hackensack DPW garage is completed.

The Paramus DPW facility, though, has undergone several changes in the last seven months that have added to the cost of that project, he said. For example, one building at the site was designed as a cold-storage garage, to store vehicles without providing any heat. But to allow for diesel-powered vehicles to be stored there, the county has added electric heating blocks to thaw them out in winter, Tedesco said.

He said the original design also did not call for the concrete in the maintenance garage to be sealed with epoxy. That change has added to the expense and the time required to install it, he said.

DPW Director Raymond Dressler said another change was related to how the current administration, which took over in January, plans to use the building. Dressler said one garage bay is getting a lift capable of raising large trucks, so that the county can offer heavy-equipment maintenance as a shared service to municipalities and fire departments. He said plans call for at least two shifts daily to work out of the building, rather than just one, which required reconfiguring the space.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/price-tag-for-bergen-county-dpw-facility-grows-by-at-least-5-million-1.1386872

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Housing ordinances ready for hearing before Ridgewood Council

days are numbered

AUGUST 4, 2015    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015, 11:14 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Ordinances dealing with the amendment to the village master plan will soon be headed back to the council after a consistency review was performed by the Planning Board.

At the July 21 Planning Board meeting, members undertook the review required by Municipal Land Use Law and found the ordinances were consistent with the master plan amendment that was adopted in June.

A letter reflecting this determination will be sent to the village clerk and council, said Planning Board Chairman Charles Nalbantian.

The Planning Board as a whole will review the letter with Nalbantian at its next meeting on Aug. 4. Then, the council will take up final discussions, culminating in a final public hearing and vote.

After a lengthy public hearing process, the Planning Board approved in June zoning changes to allow multifamily housing in the Central Business District (CBD).

The AH-2 zone was created purely for housing and is intended to require affordable housing in new development. The B-3-R and C-R zone ordinances are also written to incentivize affordable housing, but allow mixed-use development.

A fourth zone, the purely commercial C zone, was also adopted.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/housing-ordinances-ready-for-a-final-vote-1.1385919

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Reader says Taking a population count in the garden apartments would prove that the builder’s have no idea how many children would live in the new apartments

days are numbered

We live in the Hawes district but on the other side of Rt 17N. The school is so crowded that our new neighbors have been told that their Kindergarten daughter cannot go to Hawes but will be bussed to yet another school. If Ridgewood is so overcrowded WITHOUT those apartments, what will happen when they come in? And the school children inventory was not done in any of the garden apartments in town, just the one high rise on Maple. We all know the reason for that!

Taking a population count in the garden apartments would prove that the builder’s have no idea how many children would live in the new apartments, as a good number live in the garden apartments. I really don’t understand why our Planning Board, and now our Council, have not bothered to make our town Planner do something other than” the devil is in the details.”

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Reader says Town is moving in the wrong direction

clock_cbd_theridgewoodblog

Valley is a disgrace to Ridgewood with their actions. Why would anyone support Valley in this town anymore? I believe Hackensack is Top 5 in the country. The 10 minute extra drive is now worth it for me. This town has so many issues. A 3-2 Council, we’re the minority on this.

High Density housing, unreasonable size units we’re given. A 15 Million dollar parking garage? Are you insane? How much did the Town Hall cost in the flood zone. How many studies have we paid for? Let’s do another study. Steel beams and concrete..$15 million dollars, only in RichWood. Town is a disgrace and moving in the wrong direction. I just heard, needs to be confirmed, the Engineer is asking taxpayers sidewalks to be repaired? Take a look at the sidewalks in the CDB. Hint, the red bricks meeting concrete. Don’t ask others to do when you don’t! True

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Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood celebrates its 35th anniversary in Ridgewood

Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood

August 2,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood NJ, Imagine owning a shop that is so good , you get a Davidoff cigar special addition named after you ? The store is Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. Through the Davidoff Retailer Anniversary program, the company offers its Davidoff appointed merchants a chance at having a special cigar made for major anniversaries. Each year, the company creates a variety of blends in a specific size and lets the interested retailers choose which blend they would like. Last year, four stores participated in the program.

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And here it is the Davidoff Tobacconist of Ridgewood 35th Anniversary is a 6 x 52 toro with a Dominican wrapper, Ecuadorian Connecticut binder and Dominican fillers including San Vicente visos and piloto seco from different regions.The cigar was released on June 10. Pricing is set at $22 per cigar and the cigar will be limited to 300 boxes of 10.

Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood is also a Davidoff lounge and is owned by Barbara and Gary Kolesaire.Last year they opened a new cigar lounge on the third floor.
It is a private space for members only, the lounge is open Monday through Friday until 10 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. A host or hostess is always on the premises to open the door to the lounge, which has a separate entrance from the shop.

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This year marked the second year in arow that Gary received an industry service award at Davidoff’s Golden Band Awards.

The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood, 10 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201-447-2204 | Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00AM – 5:30PM and Thursday Night 6:30PM – 8:30PM