Montclair Center is classic and edgy, urban and urbane, great business and great fun. Montclair Center is a First Suburb and a modern Transit Village. Most of all, Montclair Center is a great place to shop, dine, work, live and play. These exciting dichotomies and more are summed up in our tagline – Montclair Center: Where the Suburb Meets the City.
Montclair Center Business Improvement District (the BID) celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2022 and continues to proudly serve the businesses, property owners, residents and customers of the district. The BID was founded by merchants and property owners who were concerned about on-street aesthetics, safety, code enforcement, customer attraction and district marketing.
Montclair Center Corporation started operations in the summer of 2002. Since that time, Montclair Center has become known for its vibrant street life, fabulous restaurants, award-winning retail, great art scene and pedestrian friendly office setting.
In 2012, 2013-14, and 2018 this ribbon of commercial zoning was recognized as New Jersey’s Favorite Downtown Arts District. In 2015, Downtown Montclair won the Great American Main Street Award for the best Downtown in the US. And no wonder! The district is New Jersey’s restaurant row; an arts and entertainment destination; home to some of the best independent, national, and international retailers; and a magnet for creative businesses. If you are already familiar with Montclair Center, you know and appreciate our unique offerings.
If you are thinking about doing business in Montclair Center, contact us at 973.509.3820 or visit our resources page to get your welcome packet to learn about our convenient location, great quality of life and desirable demographics.
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Main Street is a comprehensive revitalization program that promotes the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in New Jersey and a dedicated supporter or the Montclair Center BID.
What We Do
The Montclair Center BID works to keep Montclair Center great, make it even better, and let the world know about shopping, dining, working and living in Montclair Center. We focus on vibrant streets, economic development and quality of life. We follow the National Main Street model and bring value to the district in four fundamental ways:
Enhance Economic Value Create Marketing Value Promote Civic Value Build Physical Value Enhance Economic Value
- Identify and recruit new businesses to Montclair Center
- Connect property owners and their agents with potential tenants
- Work with existing businesses to make their ventures more successful
- Help new businesses learn the local ropes
Create Marketing Value
- Encourage, create and promote events that draw customers and focus to the district
- Brand and market the district, through public relations, social media and advertising
Promote Civic Value
- Advocate for business friendly ordinances and practices in municipal agencies
- Serve as an “honest broker” between local businesses and governmental agencies
Build Physical Value
- Encourage and contribute to public placemaking within Montclair Center
- Promote and encourage the artistic and historic eclecticism of the district
- Supplement municipal amenities, maintenance and sanitation efforts
Who We Are
Montclair Center Corporation Board of Directors has 21 members, comprised of seven district property owners, seven business owners, two town councilpersons, one resident and four at-large members. The full Board meets nine times a year. Program, administrative and executive committees meet and work as needed. The By-Laws of the organization can be found here.
Board of Directors
Executive Board
Jaji Packard, President
Ernst Goldman, Vice President
Liz Rich, Secretary
Matt Horrigan, Treasurer
Kristen Zachares, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Celestina Ando
Emer Featherstone
Daniel Garcia-Pedrosa
Rachael Grochowski
Natalie Haddad
Ray Ketchem Jill Montague
Jacob Nieman
David Placek
Matt Silverman
Robert Squires Councilor
David Cummings, 4th Ward Councilor
Lori Price Abrams, 3rd Ward
Staff
Jason Gleason, Executive Director
Abhishake Shah, Deputy Director & Program Manager
Jackie Apicella, Marketing & Events Director
Aysa Gordon, Administrative Assistant & Community Liaison CDS
Jerry Rafalovich, Operations Manager
Jimmy Volpi, Supervisor
Johnathan Graham, Ambassador
Tarrance Hunt, Ambassador
Ricky Commander, Ambassador
Tashon Crenshaw, Ambassador
If you are a Montclair Center business owner interested in volunteering for the BID, contact:
Montclair Center at 973.509.3820.