2025 NJ Downtown Conference & Excellence Awards
October 23, 2025 – Join us in Flemington for the 2025 NJ Downtown Conference & Excellence Awards where industry experts will provide insights about downtown management best practices.
October 23, 2025 – Join us in Flemington for the 2025 NJ Downtown Conference & Excellence Awards where industry experts will provide insights about downtown management best practices.
September 30, 2025 – Panelists from public agencies, municipal government, and the private sector will share strategies for building on vacant or underutilized sites near transit—including surface parking lots, brownfields, and other parcels with untapped potential.
Midtown Elizabeth is alive with energy. It’s a place where history whispers from every corner even as new life and transformation unfold daily. The district has always been at the heart of Elizabeth’s story. From storefront makeovers to world-class events, Midtown is proving that past, present, and future truly meet
Spark provides these entrepreneurs an opportunity to test ideas, gain “brick and mortar” experience, and introduce their brand to new audiences who may ultimately choose to establish a permanent location in town.
For more than three decades, Jef Buehler has been a driving force behind the revitalization of New Jersey’s downtowns and commercial corridors. His recent retirement marks the end of a career defined not only by professional accomplishments, but also by the relationships he built and the passion he carried for
More than four out of every five purchases still happen in stores, and new research suggests people don’t want to give that up. Instead, today’s shoppers are blending the best of both worlds—using digital tools for convenience while still craving the human touch of shopping in person.
A customized downtown gift card offers a powerful tool for supporting local businesses by keeping dollars in the community, attracting new customers, and strengthening the downtown brand. As demonstrated by Downtown Cranford and Downtown Summit, these programs have successfully achieved all three goals.
Planners and housing advocates now emphasize middle housing’s role in increasing affordability while maintaining neighborhood character. Policies encouraging middle housing in single-family or transitional neighborhoods fall under the concept of gentle density.
Restaurants across the state thrive on a system where tips are a meaningful part of take-home pay. But now, Assembly Bill A5433 threatens to upend that system. The bill would
eliminate the tip wage and require employers to pay tipped workers the full minimum wage before tips.
Starbucks recently reversed its open-door policy that allowed members of the public to utilize seating and bathroom facilities without the requirement of making a purchase. The move reflects a growing concern about loitering, disruptive behavior, and even drug use, which has surfaced inside Starbucks locations in both urban and suburban
The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) is accepting applications for its Planning for Emerging Centers Program, which helps municipalities advance plans for walkable, transit-supportive, and economically vibrant communities.