Purpose

Mission

Our mission is to improve Springfield Avenue Maplewood while maintaining the district's existing diversity.

This is done through a combination of:

1. Merchant Support, Resources and Promotion

2. District Beautification, Maintenance and Regulations

3. District-Wide Promotions and Events to Drive Traffic and Awareness

4. Collaborations with Maplewood Township to Attract New Businesses

Responsibilities

The Partnership creates, sponsors and coordinates marketing and promotional events for the Springfield Avenue business district. These efforts promote local businesses  and help create a favorable environment for new businesses to locate. We also perform a variety of supplemental services such as  cleaning sidewalks, maintaining an online business directory and database of available commercial space, and assisting with façade renovation projects.

Governance

2024 Board of Trustees

Jamaine Cripe — Township, Deputy Mayor
Vic DeLuca – Township, Councilmember
Dani Geraci* - Resident
Gary Jones* - Business Owner
Kelly Lombardi - Resident
Jonathan Lumley-Sapanski- Business Owner
Ken Stanek - Resident
Pauline Lacey* – Business Owner, Property Owner
Irene Langlois – Maplewood Hilton Library Branch
Vincent Manno – Business Owner, Property Owner
Jim Nering* – Property Owner
Oby Otti – Business Owner, Property Owner
Sheila Turner-Cartlidge* – Business Owner, Property Owner

*Executive Committee Member

NICOLE Dooskin WALLACE

Executive Director

PO Box 1294
Maplewood, NJ 07040
973-763-6011
Email

Impact

The Partnership was founded in 1996. Through these decades, a group of business owners, residents and township representatives have worked together to improve the business district. While The Partnership is most-known for sponsoring and managing annual events, much more of the Partnership’s work happens behind-the-scenes:

• As a resource to help businesses (adhere to the design ordinance, navigate town permits and regulations, identify properties available for lease/purchase, find reputable service providers, address questions and concerns)

• As a unifying body to beautify the avenue with both improvements and daily maintenance

• As an advocate, every day, lobbying for decisions that will protect or improve the avenue, as a business district, within a neighborhood

• As a visionary for the avenue… building toward long-term objectives, and leveraging immediate opportunities

2024 Efforts Underway:

• Identify and promote State programs for small businesses

• Highlight business owners and celebrate business owner diversity

• Continue facade and signage grant program

• Hold annual meeting for business owners and the Township

• Connect with existing businesses with in-person visits

• Market events in Union and neighboring Essex County towns in addition to SOMA