CASID Open Letter to the Public
Greedy Merchant Whines, Nothing More then Self-serving Agenda
Response to "Festival hurts merchants" opinion
June 27, 2010Dear Editor:
In reading “Festival hurts merchants” by the anonymous “Business Owner” which appeared in the June 26th edition of the Jersey Journal, a response is necessary to address this individual’s misleading comments regarding the Everything Jersey City Festival.
For the past three years, the CASID has worked closely with neighboring civic and non-profit organizations, artists, crafters, corporate sponsors, government officials, and hundreds of local businesses to plan and implement one of the largest main street events in New Jersey. The focus of the CASID program is to shine a positive light on Jersey City by promoting community pride and harmony. The event even received statewide recognition this year as New Jersey Monthly Magazine named it “One of fifteen Delightful Day Trips” in its May edition.
It’s ironic that a “business owner” on Central Avenue who claims to have 34 years experience does not have the common sense to value an abnormally crowded street literally inches from his doorstep. In his statement, he infers that the Everything Festival hurts merchants and affects normal commerce insinuating that business is better with less people in the area. There are hundreds of photos available online (www.JCHeights.com) which document the unprecedented gathering of approximately 23,000 on Central Avenue on Saturday May 22nd. If this person was dissatisfied with their end of day sales, perhaps they should reevaluate their strategy. A large crowd on Central Avenue is not the problem. However, poor planning and execution by the individual probably is. CASID makes every effort to prepare our business members five months prior to the event therefore there are no big surprises. In the end, it is up to each and every merchant to make the most out of the one day event.
In all, there were 187 vendors lined up in the middle of the street in which 70% were from Jersey City/ Hudson County. It is no coincidence they faced Central Avenue’s businesses thus making the storefronts part of the festival. Many savy business owners capitalized on the opportunity to greet both old and new visitors with well executed “One Day” and “Sidewalk Sales” promotions right from their doorways. Yes, the festival has drawn outside interest but as organizers, the CASID has limited those to festival novelties that our own members were unwilling to provide such as Kettle Corn, fired Oreos, arts and crafts to name a few.
Instead of taking a business approach to address sales concerns, he hastily suggests moving the event to Pershing Field. Instead of celebrating the positive attention the festival draws to Jersey City’s neighborhood and business community, he selfishly sets out a petition that will stop future events. Before going through such trouble, why not attend one of CASID’s monthly board meetings (schedule available online/ call the office: 201.656.1366) to address the matter? He clearly demonstrates that he lacks the business intuition and creativity to deviate from a business practice that is 34 years old and can use any help he can get to keep up with today’s Jersey City. Obviously, this “business owner” wants to remain nameless because he not only fears, but knows, his statement is wrong and will alienate his business from the neighborhood as the majority of residents, shoppers, and other businesses do favor the festival. This individual has a self-serving agenda and has every reason to be ashamed of placing a name next to the outlandish remarks.
Shortcomings aside, how often has this business given back to the neighborhood during his longevity on Central Avenue? If he is not going to take advantage of the unique opportunities the festival presents, then consider it one day to give back to the community that puts money in the cash register the rest of the year. Taking into account the strenuous economy we find ourselves in, we will give this “business owner” the benefit of the doubt that he is not motivated by greed but simply frustrated by his inadequacy to advance with Jersey City and is displacing anger everywhere but where it truly belongs.
The bottom line is this; it’s a one day event. While he may not share the same enthusiasm for the festival as his peers, we remind readers that this shortsighted individual is not reflective of those hard working Central Avenue merchants dedicated to serving and reinvesting in our great City. As the official organization representing the business community in the Jersey City Heights, the CASID is proud to organize and honored to host the Everything Jersey City Festival which showcases our resilient neighborhood and business community.
Sincerely,
CASID President Michael Yun and the Board of Trustees