Local businesses were honored by the Greater Hammonton Chamber of Commerce and MainStreet Hammonton in the area behind Casciano Coffee Bar & Sweetery downtown on May 24.
After many months of enduring difficult economic times caused by the restrictions instituted by the federal and state governments due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it was a moment to say “thank you” and “congratulations” to local business owners. They were treated to free food and beverages and given an opportunity to mix with businesspeople from throughout Hammonton.
Jason Michelini of EB Fence, who serves on MainStreet Hammonton’s Economic Vitality Committee, said the gathering was a chance to express gratitude to the business owners.
“Obviously, with the times and everything going on, people have struggled. Businesses have struggled. We decided—as a committee, and MainStreet and the Chamber—that we wanted to just do something to say thank you, just to give back to the business owners for surviving, and getting through this and sticking with the town, and doing what they had to do. We just wanted to put together a little thank-you and shake some hands and put some faces with names,” Michelini said.
It was an excellent idea. Oftentimes, business owners do not always have the opportunity to meet and greet with one another. It’s always beneficial to exchange ideas with other businesspeople in Hammonton, which is a large part of why the Chamber of Commerce and MainStreet exist as the connective tissue between business owners.
We think it may be a good idea to hold these types of mixers once a month in different places throughout town. One month a businesspersons’ mixer could be held on Third Thursday downtown. Another month it could be held uptown, then in Little Italy, then in the Hammonton Business Park. Each part of town could host three such gatherings a year. The Gazette would cover them each month.
Only good things could come out of frequent, smaller gatherings of business people to go with the larger events. We look forward to seeing more events like the one held on May 24 in the future.