By Cathy Miller

The first Business Improvement District in the United States was the Downtown Development District of New Orleans, established in 1975. Very few BIDs were created before 1980, with a surge occurring around 1990. They vary in size, scope, and influence, but all are focused on supporting and growing their defined district.

The Hackettstown Business Improvement District (HBID), a non-profit organization, partners with the public and private sectors to promote and develop the Hackettstown commercial district, which extends from Route 57 to Lawrence Drive, Willow Grove Street, Route 517 to the town line up to Cochran’s Funeral Home, from Stiger Street to Hackettstown Motor Imports and Grand Avenue.

Formally established by town ordinance, every commercial business owner pays an additional small tax to help fund the HBID and its primary goal to improve the economic potential of each business within the district and enhance the quality of life in Hackettstown.

The HBID is run by a board of directors, all from Hackettstown – ten business owners; three members of the town government, including the mayor and two councilpersons – and, at the invitation of the HBID, one representative each from Mars Wrigley, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, and Centenary University. The full-time Executive Director runs the daily operations.

Laurie Rapisardi, the Hackettstown Business Improvement District’s new Executive Director, officially took the reins in April 2020, “smack in the middle of the pandemic,” she said with a laugh. A Panther Valley resident, she was born and raised in Hackettstown, attending Hatchery Hill and both the middle and high schools.

Currently, Laurie serves on several committees: Hackettstown Rotary Club (President), Warren County Bicentennial Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board (Chairwoman), Centenary University Enactus Business Advisory Board (member), Warren County Economic Development Committee (new member), Warren Heritage Scenic Byway Committee (new member), and Hackettstown Lady Tiger Volleyball Booster Club (Secretary). As HBID executive director, she additionally sits on five BID committees: Marketing, Maintenance, Events, Strategic Planning, and Business Development.

After graduating from County College of Morris with a business degree, she worked for years in business, including roles in human resources, sales, and matching people with temporary jobs.

Due to changes in her personal life, and seeking more time with her two children, Laurie worked at several part-time jobs, including stage security for a Pat Benatar/Blondie concert and lining soccer fields while her two-year-old daughter tagged along. “Every day was different, and my little girl came with me most of the time,” she recalled.

Eventually she got a job at Allamuchy Township School. “I was PTO President at Allamuchy Township School when I interviewed and was hired as a part-time secretary. While doing that, the Child Study Team needed an admin in their department, so I filled that position as well. Soon my daughter started pre-school there, my son attended middle school. We were all together, which was great.”

Allamuchy Township School District then acquired Rutherfurd Hall shortly after and they needed an assistant and, when the mansion officially opened, she became their event planner and launched their rental business: “Concerts, camps, meetings, weddings and baby showers – as we progressed it just got better and better.” Eventually, she became the director there. “It was definitely an education and my time at Rutherfurd Hall will always be near and dear to my heart. I learned a lot. I took it as far as I felt I could, but it was time for somebody new to bring in fresh ideas.”

Laurie interviewed for the HBID Executive Director position in February 2020 and accepted the job at the end of February.

She spoke about learning the HBID ropes. “While waiting for my term to come to an end at Rutherfurd Hall, I shadowed Jim Sheldon, former Executive Director, at the HBID office, learning the job so I’d be fully prepared to take over in April.”

It was a seamless transition.

“Because I’m local and I serve on Rotary, I know a lot of people from the area. It’s helpful when you come into an area and already know the town, the residents, the businesspeople.” Laurie smiled broadly, “I love my new job as Executive Director of the HBID and am honored to serve our community and businesses.”

Although starting a new job during the pandemic was not ideal, it gave Laurie and the HBID board the opportunity to create some new events and think outside the box. Laurie was driven to make new things happen, pandemic or not! She’s all about keeping Hackettstown’s businesses healthy.

“Being the new HBID Director, I didn’t want an empty calendar. Doing so many events at Rutherfurd Hall, I was inspired to think from a new perspective. We needed an active calendar despite all the event cancellations due to pandemic. So, we thought about mini-events that would meet safety guidelines, yet bring patrons into town,” she said.

A community member came up with the idea of an outdoor dining tent, which she called a “fantastic idea.”

“We were permitted to use the parking lot through the summer to offer our community an alternative and safe place for outdoor dining while assisting those restaurants who did not have outdoor dining opportunities.”

That led to Late Night Thursdays, during which stores would stay open until 8 p.m. and diners could listen to music while eating in the tent.

Although the pandemic has been horrible, it has allowed HBID to do some new things that may have never been done otherwise. Laurie was thrilled with the outdoor dining. “I grew up in Hackettstown. I always wished we could have outdoor dining like Hoboken. It was wonderful to go down Main Street and Mountain Avenue to see our community dining outside, enjoying the outdoors. It gave the town a very different feel. I hope we can do this forever.”

Hometown Holiday has always been a big community event. In 2020, we were limited to how many were able to gather. Instead of hundreds, we were allowed under 20. Santa was at the Gazebo waving to kids as they drove by. They couldn’t even stop for a picture with Santa. It was going to be reduced version of what it should have been. “As the HBID Director and an event planner,” Laurie said, “How could we just have this small gathering?”

“Two weeks before, we’d began discussions with the Hackettstown Recreation Department to collaborate on an event and created Candy Cane Lane. It was a two hour drive-through Santa event at Riverfront Park off of Willow Grove Street. The businesses participated with custom displays, so as people drove through they could check them out.” There were lights, decorations, music, characters, a social distance performance by the Hackettstown Community Band  and more. The whole concept was to stay in your car, tour the site, be safe and have fun. We made goodie bags from our business’ generous donations – kids AND adults got goodie bags. We figured if 400 cars came we’d be thrilled, but 1,000 attended. We never anticipated that kind of  interest. It was obvious people needed and wanted something to do. We learned a lot and will make many tweaks, but this will become an annual event.” Laurie described it as a “magical night.”

“This year, we did Winterfest with a twist. It was just one day, January 23, and we had 32 businesses participate with $2 tastings and special sales. Some of the business owners called me afterwards saying they hadn’t been that busy since their grand opening and we have to do it again! People came from Hunterdon and Bergen counties, having learned about Winterfest online. They saw the opportunity to do something with their families that was safe and fun.

“These mini-events are bringing people to town, perhaps to visit a store for the first time, hopefully to make a purchase. It’s about supporting the businesses as well as having a good time. The way I see Winterfest next year is like a Hallmark movie. The town is a-buzz, making s’mores on the corner, a band playing on another corner, games in another area. I have visions of an ice skating rink and a carousel for the kids.

“We created Sweet Deals Valentine’s Weekend in February. We’d never done that before. The district saw a marked increase in sales that weekend. Something so simple, yet it really supported our businesses. It’s all about supporting our local businesses, right now…SHOP SMALL AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. They can use our help!

“The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been cancelled this weekend (March 12, 13 and 14) but we are still doing things in town to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we don’t want the town to be quiet. We have bagpipers performing around town. We have quite a few restaurants, breweries and shops offering all kinds of specials. A Family Scavenger Hunt is also planned. For family fun and a safe time, come enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in Hackettstown.”

Regarding the slate of upcoming events, Laurie said, “We’re hoping to move forward with our Fall events with some smaller events in the Spring and Summer.”

Having grown up in Hackettstown, Laurie said it’s been really fun to be a part of the growth. Plans for a Public Market are underway – Jim Sheldon was working on this project for a couple years before she came on board. Since then the feasibility study came back to show that it’s feasible to do this kind of market in Hackettstown. “We have a list of possible vendors. It is a very exciting project,” Laurie said. “Look out for more to come soon!”

Despite Covid-19, Hackettstown has marked several grand openings. Laurie said, “We’re looking to do additional projects along Main Street and Mountain Avenue. One of our goals is to make people aware that Mountain Avenue is part of the HBID. We want to hold a big event down there specifically to make the connection with the HBID.”

The HBID plans to introduce an online lecture series via Zoom where business owners will discuss “what they know best.” The community will be engaged, with opportunities for questions and answers. Lucy’s Home Design might do something on staging furniture or color schemes in your living room. Me To You Consignment & Boutique might do a talk on painting, refinishing and repurposing old furniture. The restaurants are considering a chef’s corner or cooking demonstrations. “We want to include service businesses who don’t normally take advantage of our events, like lawyers, doctors, dentists, opticians,” explained Laurie. “The talks will be recorded and posted online, so someone who missed the live presentation can view it later. Our goal is to share the strengths of our businesses with the public.”

Laurie noted, “I love partnering with other agencies and groups. The HBID and the Recreation Department teamed up last summer to present lawn movies at the pool field. We had a giant blow-up screen and showed two children’s movies, one in July and one in August. A couple hundred people came before dark, they social distanced, sat on their blankets and enjoyed the movie. The Grove sold snacks and hot dogs. It was a free event hosted by the HBID and the Rec Dept, who each paid for part of it. As families arrived, they thanked us for creating something safe to do with their kids.”

Over the past year, whenever a big event was cancelled, the HBID tried to create something to fill that gap. Laurie offered plans for 2021. “St. Patrick’s Day we’ll do the scavenger hunt, bagpipers, and business involvement. An Easter scavenger hunt has been added for April. Since the Spring Festival has been cancelled, we have added a Cinco De Mayo event the first weekend of May. Expect traditional music and the restaurants specials. Typically, there’s a lull in June, but we’re adding a new event called Vintage Day which will involve people selling antiques and homecrafters showcasing their unique wares. In the summertime, we’re bringing back the two lawn movies and weekly Late Night Thursdays with all the bands. In September we hope to move forward with Autumn Lamplight, Street Fair, and Oktoberfest, which is huge.” Happily, some of these smaller events will definitely become a part of HBID’s recurring annual events.

Laurie Rapisardi has risen to the challenge of making lemonade from an inordinate amount of lemons over the past year. She shared, “My new position at the HBID has surely been a bit different due to the pandemic. But we are committed to assisting our businesses the best way we can while engaging our community. I am so happy and honored to be a part of my hometown in this special way!” Under Laurie and her Board’s direction, the Hackettstown Business Improvement District has worked tirelessly to uplift local commerce during these trying months.

Enjoy the festivities in Hackettstown this weekend for a FUN and SAFE St. Paddy’s celebration – visit www.hackettstownbid.com for participating businesses.

For more information: Hackettstown Business Improvement District
219 Main Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Office: 908-850-5004
Web: www.hackettstownbid.com
Email: director@hackettstownbid.com

References:
1: https://www.fool.com/millionacres/real-estate-investing/articles/what-is-a-business-improvement-district/
2: Richard Briffault, The Business Improvement District Comes of Age, 3 Drexel L. Rev. 19 (2010).
Available at scholarship.law.columbia.edu/faculty_scholarship/914