Festive South Orange Holiday Open-Air Market a Huge Success

During the earlier days of this Coronavirus Pandemic I ruminated that “Due To Coronavirus Reaching For Success Means a Lifestyle Change“. I pondered upon the fact that Coronavirus may have slowed your dream of being the CEO of a your own small business or reduced your ability to secure your dream home. I also mentioned that in some industries like entertainment, musicians have in some cases lost it all as performance venue across the world have closed overnight. It’s been a challenge that even the most solid, consistent guaranteed path to success or at least in your pre-Coronavirus world, your planned next steps have gone off track, like way off track.

Helping Small Business Survive – South Orange Village Center Alliance (SOVCA) during Coronavirus Pandemic

Helping small businesses survive and thrive has been a challenge like anywhere else that the Coronavirus has made its ugly appearance. Here the South Orange Village Center Alliance (SOVCA) went into action supporting small businesses by hosting an Open-Air Holiday Market. A huge task and considering they have many other initiatives going including my beloved South Orange Live Music Summer Saturdays. SOVCA worked closely with S.O. elected officials, property owners, business owners and Village staff. Pulling everyone together they definitely were up to the task.
This major undertaking included setting up a temporary outdoor retail marketplace. This mini-marketplace was to offer finely crafted jewelry, apparel, accessories, art and gift items made by many of the area’s finest local artisans and craftspeople. In addition the market was held in the South Orange NJ Sloan Street Parking Lot and had to be emptied every Thursday before setting up the market.

The Open-Air market was located between some wonderful restaurants and also offered up some lovely live music entertainment. Considering the short planning cycles the team stated that it had some challenges in terms of bringing new and old vendors to market and coordinating teams across government groups and local community organizations. It also helped that the market was generously sponsored by Investors Bank, Fran Lichtman and Randy Rabney of Hearth Realty.

Successful South Orange Holiday Open Air Market a Big Hit in Supporting Local Businesses

Well 5 out of 6 weekends the market came alive. Rain and cold canceled out the Dec 17th Open Air Market but all the other weekends worked out very well. Setting up a mini city in some aspects as power, lights, locations, tents, parking closures, lighting structures, along with mapping out social distancing, masking compliance and more all had to be setup before the shoppers arrived.
Vendors I talked with reported doing very well in terms of business exposure and more importantly sales. Attendees continual commented on the cheerful, high-spirited look and feel of the market and how they loved the very festive and lively atmosphere provided by the open-air market.

At the end of the night all was shut down again and removed until the next week. They say it takes a village, so you can imagine the amount of planning that went into effect. South Orange Government, Department of Works, Fire department, Police department, Live Music and more went into setting it up. Number of vendors went from 22 to 35 depending on the week. The temperatures thankfully held out with some beautiful weather.

The South Orange Holiday Market Live Music Performances

Gregory Burrus Productions was ecstatic to be engaged to produce, promote the live music performances for this year's 2020 South Orange Holiday Open Air Market. A decision was made to book multiple live music bands each night. The goal being to increase fan attendance and hopefully more market shoppers. Covering pop, rock, jazz and more the following mix of bands came through the market.

11/19/2020

• Richard Reiter Jazz Trio w Jackie Harmon Johnson
• Laredo the Band with Ed Melee, Larry and Gary

11/28/2020

• Forget The Whale w Alishia Taiping, Dan Piercini
  
• Howlin Poets - sitting in Lynette Sheard

12/03/220

• Brooks and Cam
• ZooS - Pegaso Cris, BJ Herman, Peter Mclard

12/10/2020

• Band of Strays - Louis Ledesmo
• Bossio Ukulelee Trio w Danielle Perotta, Pegaso Cris, Daniele Perota

12/17/202

• Lynette Sheard Live - Canceled

12/24/2020

• New Jersey DJ Services with DJ Jimmy Buttros
• Barbara Hassenfeld – Vocalist
• Jacqueline Harmon Johnson– Vocalist
• Sofie Lopez – Singer songwriter
• Bruno Lee– Trumpetman.

The music went over very well and we will produce highlights in an upcoming writeup.

It was an absolutely beautiful South Orange Holiday Open Air Market with a wonderful look and feel. Everyone shopped, caught up with friends and of course dined outdoors at the Fox and Falcon, Mti Miti, Toro Loco amongst other places around town. At night the lights came on and the holiday atmosphere expanded tremendously.

Update Note 2/11/2021 : Glad to Report an Award - Please Find

"Downtown NJ Placemaking Award to South Orange Village Center"

Thank you all for coming out and supporting local businesses.
Read More - Learn More:

• South Orange Village Center -
• Gregory Burrus Productions
• TAPINTO SOMA - Sloan Street Market Christmas Eve in Photos