the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, at Wednesday nights Village Council meeting Village Manager Heather Mailander announced that Ridgewood Central Business District will be converted into a pedestrian mall for Saturdays and Sundays only, starting on July 10th and running through September 5th.
The Ridgewood blogs research shows the idea of the pedestrian mall is overwhelmingly popular both with residents and CBD tenants . Some merchants and restaurants have raised some concerns over inability of patrons to do quick drop off or pick ups at their establishments .
In 2020, the “Welcome Back to Ridgewood” event was tried . All retail businesses were able to place their products on tables outside of their business (once they obtain a permit from the Village). All food places were permitted to have outdoor dining (once they obtain a permit from the Village).
The “Welcome Back to Ridgewood” and pedestrian mall started on June 20, 2020, and was held every Saturday through Sunday at 10:00 p.m. The Central Business District from North Walnut Street to Broad Street was closed to vehicular traffic along East Ridgewood Avenue, including the side streets of Oak Street, Prospect Street, and Chestnut Street . The pedestrian mall was put on hiatus several times over weather concerns .
Bring in the trash!
This is a good thing it’s great for business, the CBD needs this they should’ve been done 10 years ago we told you. Keep the shoppers in town. The Chamber of Commerce needs to do whatever they can, if not they’re going to take their money to the mall’s and spend it. They should even open up on a Sunday during the summer give it a try. Some of the stores are hurting big-time. And don’t give me any bullshit about blue laws in Bergen county. That law was Made up a long time ago when things were different. I the stores need to make money seven days a week to survive if not they could just going to go to another county and spend money.
Years too late
Another feel good, useless initiative, but the clueless will cheer it!
There will also be no follow-up on its ineffectiveness.
There will always be haters. Those that sit on the sidelines and bitch and moan every initiative put forth by others making an effort. This can only help small businesses in town.
There will always be sciolists. Those who pretend to be knowledgeable but who are actually ignorant on the topic…
They generally are narrow minded individuals who are full of themselves and can’t see the facts from their own vision of reality.
Over time for the police.
Diverting east-west traffic to Franklin Avenue, which is about to become even more of a nightmare with the apartments opening, is a mistake.