The Downtown Denville Business Improvement District has prepared a series of steps to help our businesses plan for a re-opening strategy based on updates from the Governor’s office of the State of New Jersey. While developments are ever-changing, we have outlined strategies as a guideline, as well as the steps we are taking as a downtown district. Once the executive order and state shutdowns began, all of us were scrambling as business owners and professionals. As a district, we hope you were able to take advantage of the resources we were providing. Here is what we’re working on right now.
Outdoor Dining Parklets
We have been working very closely with Mayor Andes and his Administration to establish a few areas to encourage shoppers to dine outside safely. Cafe tables, wipe dispensers and other accommodations will be added to make for pleasant seating environments and will be opening shortly in the below designated areas:
- Along First Avenue by the new decorative stone wall
- McCarter Park
- A few parking spots on the East side of Broadway will be blocked to allow for a small dining area
- Potentially Center Street. We have the ability to occasionally block off Center Street after banking hours as we have for the Summer Block Party and other events, if desired, by working with the Township and Denville Police
Outdoor Shopping
The Mayor and his Administration via Township Executive Order will allow our retailers to put tables and outside retail to sell directly in front of their storefronts, similar to the way it is done during Sidewalk Sales.
NOTE: This can only be done when the Governor allows for non-essential businesses to open up. When this happens, a path for pedestrians to walk must be accessible on the sidewalk.
Relief Fund
As we’ve shared, we created a Downtown Denville Relief Fund in hopes to raise money for grant relief and the additional items needed to adapt from the pandemic’s impact. We are grateful to all the support residents and businesses have given to the community thus far and hope the generosity will continue. We have also contributed $10,000 to the fund. More details can be found on our website, including an FAQ.
As we gain more insight from the State on how stores and businesses will open, we will continue to share more of our plans and strategies moving forward.
