Woodbury's Revitalization Is Important to Everyone

I am a West Deptford resident and have been since 1991. I was part owner in a business located in Woodbury from 1984 to 2009. I am now the Executive Director of Main Street Woodbury, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit with the mission of the revitalization and historic preservation of Downtown Woodbury.

Yes, that’s right, it’s a formidable task.

I took this position in October of this year after volunteering with the Broad Street Bash in 2009 and 2010, and then as an active member of Main Street Woodbury’s Economic Restructuring Committee since February of 2011.

I have seen how the local community is getting involved, how the volunteers come from not only Woodbury, but Deptford, Westville, Mickleton, Gibbstown, etc; and how their talents and enthusiasm are building and making a positive impact.

Main Street Woodbury works as a Main Street community through the NJ Department of Consumer Affairs, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Gloucester County.

Private donations, fundraising and public grants fund façade improvements, public events, new business help, and much more.

There are over 25 other New Jersey Main Street communities making a difference in their areas.  Ocean City, Salem, Bridgeton, Hammonton, Millville, Burlington, and Mount Holly are just a few of the communities involved with the Main Street program.

The reason I became more involved was simple: Downtown Woodbury is very important to me, my family, and my neighbors. I have lived within a mile of Woodbury for half of my life. It is the closest “city” to my home, and its revitalization efforts should be supported by surrounding communities.

If Woodbury’s fortunes wane and there are more abandoned buildings, what will area home values do? Conversely, how great would it be to visit Woodbury and see a vibrant, bustling downtown filled with unique shops, restaurants and performing arts locations? I am sure we would all be telling our visitors to get off the freeway at exit 24 instead of 20…

Getting involved and promoting positive changes taking place in Woodbury can mean a great deal to all of us in the future.

It can be as easy as frequenting a new restaurant in town or browsing the shops before going to the mall. Get involved by volunteering on one of our committees, or as a volunteer at one of our events.

Visit the MSWI website at www.mainstreetwoodbury.org for more information on meetings, events, and the merchants who support Main Street Woodbury efforts.

If you don’t have some extra time to volunteer, please send me your ideas of new businesses or new locations for existing businesses that you would like to see in Woodbury. You can even become a supporter of Main Street Woodbury for less than $.10 per day. 

In future blogs, I’ll be telling you all about the happenings in Woodbury and the store and restaurant specials. Woodbury is not a lost cause. There are always naysayers who would have you believe that, just like there are those who would have you believe that West Deptford can’t fix their problems.

Don’t believe any of them, look to the positive and be the change you want to see in your community.

Happy holidays to all, and I hope to see you sometime in Woodbury!