Montclair Center BID 2023 Stakeholder Report

2023. Elevating The Experience Montclair Center Annual Recap

mission statement The mission of the Montclair Center BID is to create a visually appealing, prosperous, and inclusive downtown through continuous cleaning and beautification, programming, marketing, economic development and advocacy.

about Montclair Center Corp, better known as the Montclair Center Business Improvement District (BID) is a 501c3 notfor-profit organization established in 2002 by the local business community to enhance and promote downtown Montclair as a regional shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Representing over 400 retailers and restaurants along Bloomfield Avenue and nearby adjacent streets, the BID is a Nationally Accredited Main Street Community, recipient of the 2015 Great American Main Street Award and the 2023 Jersey Arts People’s Choice Award. The Montclair Center BID partners with businesses, nonprofits, landlords, and government to make Montclair Center a vibrant place to eat, work, shop, live, and play.

partners

awards

Production team: Jason Gleason, Abhi Shah, Jaime J Izurieta-Storefront Mastery. January 2024.

contents message

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stakeholder support

6

elevating the experience

8

business and vacancy data

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foot traffic data

10

visit trends

11

destination marketing

12

double the pride

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transparency

16

cleaner, meaner, greener

17

3

Jason Gleason, Executive Director

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a message from our executive director

Dear Montclair Center BID Stakeholders, I am thrilled to share with you some of the achievements and successes of the Montclair Center Business Improvement District (BID) throughout 2023. It has been an honor and a privilege to lead this exceptional organization.

One of the standout accomplishments of the year was the significant growth and diversification of businesses within our district, including a flourishing arts and entertainment sector, as well as a thriving experiential retail business community.

Our commitment to fostering a vibrant and diverse economic landscape has yielded one of the lowest vacancy rates since the BIDs formation.

We are delighted to note a steady year-over-year increase in foot traffic, reaching, and surpassing in some cases, pre-pandemic levels. 2023 witnessed major milestones in terms of attendance, investment, and ROI for Downtown events and festivals.

Our commitment to smart, dynamic, and inclusive economic development remains unwavering. We have actively advocated for policies, projects, and initiatives that promote sustainable growth and inclusivity, ensuring that the benefits of our success are shared by the entire community.

At the core of our achievements is our dedication to data-driven, analytical, and innovative approaches. By leveraging insights and embracing cuttingedge strategies, we have positioned Montclair Center BID as a forwardthinking organization. This commitment to excellence allows us to adapt to changing circumstances and stay ahead in a dynamic business landscape.

Thank you for your ongoing support, dedication, and partnership.

Sincerely,

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stakeholder support

In 2023, we achieved several notable milestones, including hosting twelve ribboncutting events. We actively funded and participated in the township’s Unhoused Committee, demonstrating our commitment to community issues.

A significant achievement was the successful launch of new Community Maps for the Montclair Film Festival and Small Business Saturday, a project we undertook in partnership with Urality.

At the Downtown NJ Conference, we were at the forefront of innovation, unveiling the firstin-the-nation Place Management dashboard during a Big Data panel. Our dedication to community safety and well-being was further highlighted by the establishment of the Vision Zero Task Force, to which the Montclair Center BID contributed $10,000.

Additionally, we collaborated with the township on the “Rodent Roundtable,” working alongside the Montclair Health Department, Code Enforcement, Sanitation, and the Office of Sustainability to address local environmental and health issues.

Montclair Center BID Staff

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lackawanna plaza white paper

As the Montclair Center Business Improvement District (MCBID), our analysis of the Lackawanna Plaza Redevelopment Plan (LPRDP) aligns with our mission to foster a prosperous and inclusive downtown.

The Board’s review was grounded in our commitment to enhancing the BID through strategic economic development and thoughtful urban planning.

We examined the Lackawanna Development Plan, recognizing its alignment with elements of the township’s Master Plan. The LPRDP is a significant step towards sustainable urban development, offering a mix of housing options, including affordable housing and enhancing access to fresh food.

The Board’s recommendations emphasize practical aspects like optimal supermarket size and the balance between residential housing and public spaces. The potential community and economic benefits will enrich the community fabric, bolster our local economy, and support the town’s finances.

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elevating the experience A breakdown of new business openings shows how Montclair welcomes a diverse array of industries. Especially interesting are experiential businesses that offer a unique model, where the service delivery is the product.

nonprofit

a&e f&b services

37% food & beverage 24% retail

retail

24% services 13% arts & entertainment 2% nonprofits

We celebrate these new businesses that opened during 2023

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PastaRamen

Grace Loves Lace

Fusionista

Venture Studios

Brow Fix Academy

Luigino's Parmigiana

Gioia Mia

Montclair Indoor Golf Club

Rooster's Hot Chicken

Lazlo Plants

Art With All

Brick City Vegan

Jiang Nan Fusion

CM Chicken (reopening)

NuYou Define

Cornbread Farm to Soul

Wine & Design

Solano (pop-up)

Bella's Nails and Spa

Fresh Pediatric Dentistry

Dutch's Sandwich Shop

Vivid Visions

Falafel Guys

Sarah Elizabeth Designs

Mesh Montclair

Genevieve's Exclusive Vintage Bond Vet

Nuts Factory

Halden Interior's

Exchange

MTS Massage

Mega Montclair Studio

Creativity Connect

Bar Franco

Keycuts Barbershop

Artisan Gallery Pop Up

Sweetgreen

2nd Street

Iris Imprint

Fratelli Freschi Seafood Co

Maddox

Urban Natural (May)

GB Art Gallery

Starr Therapy

Musuko

11 South

Libelula

Montclair Mud Clay Studio

Forever Welded Jewelry

Chip City

* Data from Montclair Center BID

business and vacancy data

49

new businesses opened in 2023

new businesses. Up from 39 in 2022

~144 new jobs created

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closed businesses. Down from 19 in 2022

6%

ground floor vacancy, down from 10.8% in 2022

The 2023 Montclair Center BID report presents encouraging trends in local business and economic health. 49 new businesses opened, up from 39 in 2022, showing an entrepreneurial spirit that contributes to job creation, with 144 new jobs.

Fewer closures suggest a stabilizing local economy with a net growth of 33 new businesses. A notable decrease in vacancies, reducing the rate to 6.03%, indicates a more vibrant downtown area.

A substantial $6.1 million investment by local businesses demonstrates strong confidence and commitment to growth.

In 2023, the Montclair Center BID achieved notable milestones: hosting 12 ribbon-cutting events, supporting the township’s Unhoused Committee, launching Community Maps with Urality, founding the Vision Zero Task Force, and collaborating with the township on the Rodent Roundtable initiative.

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foot traffic data

7.4 million

visits from January to December 2023. Up 12% from 6.7 million in 2022

1.6 million unique visitors to the BID, up from 1.4 million in 2022

~40,000

visitors for Mother’s Day, Montclair Center’s busiest day of 2023. a ~30% increase year on year

137 minutes

average dwell time for each visitor to Montclair Center in 2023

10 * Data from Placer.ai

visit trends

2022 Montclair Center, 2022

Montclair Center, 2023

11 * Data from Placer.ai

destination marketing

A Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) is an organization dedicated to promoting a specific area, like a city, region, or country, as an attractive travel destination. The primary goal of a DMO is to increase the number of visitors to the area, which can have a positive effect on local businesses and the economy.

The Montclair Center Corporation applied for the Destination Marketing grant to create awareness for and generate interest in Montclair as a vibrant and attractive destination.

We named our organization Experience Montclair, as an invitation to experience our neighborhoods, people, culture, food and hospitality.

The key benefits of Experience Montclair’s work for Downtown businesses are: Increased Visibility: Showcasing unique attractions and cultural assets that draw more visitors, directly benefit local businesses through increased foot traffic.

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Wider Engagement: By involving stakeholders outside the Montclair Center BID district, there’s an opportunity for broader engagement, potentially attracting a more diverse customer base.

Tourism Promotion: Engaging tour operators and travel writers will position Montclair as a notable destination, likely increasing tourist visits, which benefits local commerce.

Stronger Branding: A compelling brand and website make Montclair more recognizable, encouraging more visits and spending in local businesses.

Cultural Collaboration: Partnerships with arts and cultural organizations will enrich the town’s cultural scene, making it more attractive and benefiting our local businesses.

Improved Accessibility: Addressing transit and parking challenges will make visiting downtown more convenient, enhancing customer experience and accessibility.

double the pride Montclair Center BID partnered with three major festivals, Montclair Film, Montclair Jazz and Pride, roughly doubling the number of attendees year over year. Almost $4 million dollars were spent by festival goers, and $25.16 dollars returned to the community per every $1 invested by the BID. A resounding success!

$3.5 million

total spent in local businesses during the three major downtown festivals

$25.16

returned per each $1 spent by the BID in the three major festivals

18,000

attendees to the Montclair Film Festival

26,800

attendees to Montclair Pride, up 90% from 14,200 in 2023

17,800

attendees to the Montclair Jazz Festival Jamboree Finale

$56

spent per visitor during festivals

* Data from Jazz House Kids, OUT Montclair and Montclair Film

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supporting local events

In addition to the three major festivals, the Montclair Center team contributes to building our local community by extending various forms of support to other events, such as advocacy, economic, staffing assistance, marketing and advertisement, technical support, and event coordination.

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BID events winter wonderland shop small saturday downtown trick or treating meet and greet events annual meeting summer sunday

private events juneteenth make music day three kings day latinas of montclair dia de los muertos hispanic heritage diwali lunar new year

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transparency

2024 Board Approved Budget Revenue BID Assessment Income Grant Income DMO Grant DMO Income

$

1,039,907 15,480 105,000 144,000 50,000

Total Revenue

$

1,354,387

Programming Expenses Maintenance & Improvements Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Events & Programs Strategic Initiatives Total Programming Expenses

$ $ $ $

346,503 180,000 343,517 67,500

$

937,520

General Administrative General Administration Total General Administrative

$

383,006

$

383,006

Total Operating Expense

$

1,320,526.00

Net Income (Change in Net Assets)

$

33,861

Montclair Center Corporation has a total revenue from several sources, such as the BID assessment paid by property owners within the district, and the DMO grant, amounting to $1,354,387 dollars and total expenditures for $1,320,526, with a total Net income of $33,861.

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cleaner, meaner, greener (well... actually nicer, it just didn’t rhyme)

4,191

total bags of pedestrian generated litter

2,449

bags from BID trash receptacles

5,874

curbside bags picked up by trash haulers

16,040

Total lbs. picked, or 8.02 tons

1,784

stickers, tags and unsolicited ads removed

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staff

board

Jason Gleason, Executive Director

PRESIDENT: Jaji Packard – The Crescent Shops

Abhishake Shah, Assistant Director

VICE PRESIDENT: Ernst Goldman – 4Evergrafix

Jackie Apicella, DMO and BID Marketing Director

SECRETARY: Kristen Zachares – The Eclectic Chic

Aysa Gordon, Administrative Assistant &

Boutique

Community Liaison

TREASURER: Matt Horrigan – Horrigan Development

Christian Powell, Events Manager Commercial District Services

David Cummings — 4th Ward Councilor

Jerry Rafalovich, Operations Manager

Emer Featherstone — Montclair Foundation

Jimmy Volpi, Supervisor

Daniel Garcia — Pedrosa – Pymstone Realty

Dante Symister, Ambassador

Jill Montague – Montclair Film

Johnathan Graham, Ambassador

David Placek – BDP Holdings, LLC

Tarrance Hunt, Ambassador

Lori Price Abrams — 3rd Ward Councilor

Ricky Commander, Ambassador

Robert Squires – Squires Associates Rachael Grokowski - RHG Architect + Design Natalie Haddad - Monty Ray Ketchem - Magic Door Studios Jacob Nieman- Montclair Planning Board Matt Silverman - Local Resident

2023. Elevating The Experience.

Montclair Center Annual Recap

montclaircenter.com | 26 Lackawanna Plaza | montclaircenter@montclaircenter.com | (973) 509-3820