Business Leaders Look to Rebrand Downtown

Downtown business leaders are hoping to rebrand and market the area, drawing people to it.

The Downtown Millburn Development Alliance is rebranding itself to be called Downtown Millburn, and its president, John Buchholz, updated the Township Committee Tuesday night on the work the organization is doing.

The Township Committee last December approved an increase in the assessments on downtown buildings in order to increase the organization's budget to be used for more marketing. The assessment was increased by 16 percent, and the amount of money spent on marketing, visioning and rebranding is increasing by 33 percent. The goal is to make downtown the preferred shopping and dining district, Buchholz said.

"Our new marketing goal is to make downtown recognized," he said.

That includes using new technologies like improving the organization's Web site and using social networking sites like Facebook. Buchholz said the group also plans to create a Web site that lists the vacant spaces in town so stores looking to move to Millburn can find information on vacancies more easily. Also, they want to create a site that lists the sales, events and promotions at downtown Millburn stores.

Additionally, the organization wants to work more closely with township officials, Buchholz said. He promised future updates to the committee about the organization's activities.

Committee member Robert Tillotson questioned why the Millburn Farmers Market needed to run on Tuesdays. He cited how Summit has its farmers market on Sundays and noted that there is no more parking there than there is in Millburn.

Downtown Millburn representatives did not say they would change the date or time of the farmers market, but said they would look at all suggestions.