For the second straight year, the city will play host to an event designed to encourage shopping at local businesses throughout the area.
Mayor Dawn Zimmer and other local business owners held a press conference on Thursday at Anastasia’s Accessories at 88 Garden St. to announce and discuss details of the event.
The city has scheduled the second annual “Shop Hoboken” event for Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participating local businesses will offer sales promotions, food, gifts, and more. There are 55 retail locations participating in the event, up from the 32 that participated in the inaugural event last year.
“Hoboken is essentially becoming the SoHo of New Jersey.” – Phil Erdaide, Sedona owner
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“This year we’ve had a great response,” said Anastasia Kamper, owner of Anastasia’s Accessories and event organizer. “We’ve almost doubled our participation rate, [and] the retailers all have great ideas that they’re putting together for the weekend.”
Kamper also said that the event was scheduled a week before Father’s Day in order to encourage shopping for the holiday.
The “Sounds of Hoboken,” a citywide musical event, will take place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the “Shop Hoboken” event. Musical acts will be performing at various different public spaces as residents and visitors shop around.
Zimmer stressed the importance local businesses have on the economy and the city in general.
“It’s really important that we shop local here in Hoboken,” said Zimmer. “Our local retailers are critical to the success of Hoboken and to the quality of life for Hoboken residents.”
“For every $100 spent at local independent retailers, $68 stays in the local economy,” Zimmer added.
Some of the participating businesses include Anastasia’s Accessories, Midtown Authentic, Hoboken Hot House, Essence of the Garden, Dear Hannah, and Sedona. A banner will be placed atop city hall to advertise the event, along with ads in The Hoboken Reporter and tens of thousands of postcards will be scattered throughout different shops in the city to encourage visitors and residents to take part.
“Hoboken is essentially becoming the SoHo of New Jersey,” said Phil Erdaide, owner of jewelry and accessory shop Sedona at 201 Washington St. “People are not only coming here to eat but also to shop.”
Erdaide said that this is his first time participating in the event.
“This year I’m taking advantage,” he said. “I’m jumping in full force and I’m sure it’s going to work out.”
Eric Palcsesz, owner of the floral arrangement shop Essence of the Garden at 120 Washington St., said that the event will help spread the charm shared by many of the local businesses.
“I’m all about maintaining that ‘Mom and Pop’ vibe,” said Palcsesz. “It’s about creating an ambience and having great people come in.”
Early success
Kamper said that she originally conceived of the idea after having several successful promotions in her own store.
“We decided it would be a great idea to give other retailers the chance to hold an event on the same weekend,” said Kamper, adding that she soon approached Mayor Zimmer, who gave the idea the green light.
“[It went] very, very well last year,” Kamper continued, “so that’s why it was easier to get people [local businesses] on board this year.”
Rory Chadwick, owner of Midtown Authentic, a designer consignment store at 728 Washington St., said that he hopes the past year’s event, which increased traffic and sales for many local business owners, will continue this year.
“Everybody should really benefit this year,” said Chadwick. “It should be a great weekend in the summer for everybody in town.”
“[People] should really walk around and check out the business atmosphere in Hoboken,” Chadwick continued. “It’s a very eccentric, eclectic, fun, and happy shopping community.”
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.