Historic Newton, New Jersey; the county seat of Sussex County

Main Street News, plus!

Letter to the Editor 7-26-10

I am extremely bothered by the article in last Sunday’s Herald entitled, “Newton Building ‘scarred’ with graffiti.” In deed, it is a shame that someone defaced the building on Spring Street. Remember though, as Main Street Newton director Jim Sheldon said – scars heal. A few gallons of paint remover will no doubt “heal” the building façade.

Of greater concern is the responses, reported by the Herald, from employees/owners of businesses located the building where the graffiti was found. The Main Street Newton group has been working very hard over the past 3 years to create a vibrant flourishing downtown Newton area. We have added many new businesses to the area and are receiving many compliments from supporters and customers on how much Newton has changed.

I charge those individuals who gave such negative statements to the Herald reporter to become a part of creating a better Newton. We welcome you to the Main Street Newton group and certainly would appreciate your help.

Remember if you are not a part of a solution, then you are the problem.

B Longcore

Letter tio the editor NJ Herald 7-27-10

Regarding “Newton building ’scarred’ with graffiti” I want to commend the property owner and the Newton Police Department who are dealing with this negative act quickly, professionally and firmly. As one of four people quoted in the article I feel compelled to write in response to the statements made by Amer, Heinrich and Obolonsky. Their statements and those of a similar nature are heard occasionally by those of us who work for the revitalization of downtown Newton. What’s interesting is who we hear those statements from - Newton residents, many an “old-timer” and others who have worked in the Town for some time. While they are entitled to their opinions, the facts tell quite a different story about the ongoing revitalization of downtown Newton and the Historic Spring St Shopping District. It seems they are either unable to divorce themselves from their golden memories of what it “used to be” making it almost impossible to see how good it has become or acknowledge the progress that is being made. In contrast, Spring St merchants and retail business owners say they hear a considerably different story from people who are encountering Newton for the first time. They often express “how delightful” their visit to Spring Street is with it’s distinctive shops, galleries, restaurants wonderful architecture and the Town Green.

Downtown Newton has experienced a growth in new businesses coming to town (over 20) and reinvestment in properties of over $5,000,000 since being designated a Main Street New Jersey Community approximately three years ago. This donation supported volunteer driven effort at revitalization has a core of commercial property and business owners who have been in large measure responsible in attracting those new businesses and along with them, new events and customers to downtown. In some instances, growth has been so rapid that two of the business that began as new retailers in The SpringBoard Shoppes, Inner Designs by Robin Lennon and Adiel Company, have outgrown the incubator program and acquired their own leased premises on Spring St. TraillWorks Studio, Gallery & Lessons has also grown to a much bigger store to better serve their customers. And the vacancies left by the graduation from The SpringBoard Shoppes are filling in with the addition of Perfect Ten Nail Salon, the expansion of PB&J Stores. Given the economic climate these business have survived to get to this point their growth and continued presence in Newton could be called a minor miracle but at the least it is a measure of success!

And there’s more! Casa Ire (a new business) has opened next door to Adiel Jewelry and a new yarn shop “Sarah’s Yarn” and another ‘fine-dining’ restaurant are about to open. As I write this we have even more businesses looking and negotiating with property owners for additional new stores. The entrepreneurs taking part see the reinvestments by property owners and the growth of existing businesses on Spring Street as positive signal. Those of them that are more seasoned and have been here for some time believe in the current resurgence - they can see it - and the new blood has the view that Spring Street has a great deal to offer. Both are investing much of their own money, their energy and spirit in making their business a success and in turn, downtown Newton a success.

Things are happening and they are mostly positive. Unfortunately, sometimes negative things happen however, they will not change all of the positives that are happening and that will continue to happen. We just need to keep our eyes and our minds open.

Main Street Newton, Inc. is a private Non-Profit 501C-3 Organization working daily to create a positive business environment. Through the Main Street Four point approach which consists of a Promotion Team, Design Team, Economic Restructuring Team & Organization Team. Through these teams which are made up of community volunteers and business people Main Street Newton has highlighted and solved many issues surrounding Newton and will continue to do so. .

For more information or if you are interested in volunteering please contact Jim Sheldon at 973-940-3178 or email jimsheldon@mainstreetnewton.org or stop by our Office at 93 Spring Street Suite 102