‘Truly Awe Inspiring:’ Metuchen Named Great American Main Street 2023

METUCHEN, NJ – Metuchen has done it! The Borough, know for its vibrant downtown and small businesses, received the prestigious Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) for 2023.

The GAMSA recognizes communities for revitalizing and transforming their commercial district.

The Metuchen Downtown Alliance was one of three winners selected from among eight semifinalists. The other two winners this year are Danville, Virginia and Florence, South Carolina. Only two other New Jersey towns have received the honors – Montclaire in 2015 and Westfield in 2004.

Dawn Mackey, Executive Director of MDA thanked the team for their incredible work and praised her predecessor Isaac Kremer for brining significant expertise in the Main Street approach

“To achieve this recognition in a short six years is truly awe inspiring. As an outsider with intimate insight into other small downtowns, I can confidently say what Metuchen has is incredibly unique and the secret ingredient here is the community,” Mackay said. “When volunteers, the municipality, landlords and businesses put their hearts into one mission the results are pure magic.”

Bobbie Theivakumaran, Chairwoman of MDA credited Borough officials, businesses, volunteers and residents for the downtown’s success.

“We are better when we’re together and when we reflect our people, our businesses, and our values,” Theivakumaran said. “This win is a testament to all of these things and the vision that customers don’t need or want to be an algorithm - that Downtowns can be a democratizer with programming, events and experiences like no other - that Downtowns can be a place of wonder and even embrace the weird and the wonderful and the pride that leaning into all these values will ultimately bring us all success as a business owners, residents, visitors, and to our local economy.”

The MDA was specifically selected for its work to revitalize Metuchen’s Main Street, create innovative programming, and introduce downtown management. Moreover, the MDA was recognized for leaning into inclusive events – such as Lunar New Year, the Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Juneteenth, and Pride on the Plaza – while maintaining Metuchen’s historic, small-town character.

During the past seven years, the MDA has worked to improve signage and storefronts; celebrate Metuchen’s diverse population and businesses; create placemaking; and support the buy-local experience through themed promotions and events developed to drive traffic to downtown businesses.

In 2016, the business district had an over 20percent vacancy rate. Now vacancies are at an all-time low, and the Borough is regularly receiving national recognition – the most recent being American Girl introducing its 2023 Girl of the Year doll, Kavi Sharma, a Metuchen tween.

Mayor Jonathan M Busch said Metuchen has come a long way in just a few years. “The Borough’s volunteers, who are the lifeblood of our community, have shown our entire State and indeed our nation, that the transformation of downtowns are possible with some focus, a lot of hard work and dedication,” Busch said.

“It is truly an honor to serve as the Mayor of a community that has achieved such a prestigious award. Congratulations to the Metuchen Downtown Alliance on this incredible accomplishment!”

Metuchen will celebrate its GAMSA win with a Downtown Funhouse party in June. In the style of a Coney Island parade, the celebration will feature sideshow performances, axe-throwing, music, food, dancing, children’s activities, street art, and much more.

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