Township Business Owners Seeking to Improve Image

Washington Township is not known as a shopping destination.

Terry Kipriadis, the owner of , hopes to change that. She has been working with other township business owners to organize a group that will "change the aura" of the by bringing events and more people to the township's lone shopping center.

Most people who do visit the center go to one store and then leave because there are not enough businesses there, according to Kipriadis.

"I'm hoping that strength in numbers will entice the town to take action and create awareness in the community and neighboring towns," Kipriadis said.

The owner of the center hired Azarian Reality Co. to of the center late last year. Currently, Azarian lists 14 of the 32 spaces as being available for lease.

Kipriadis brought her idea to the township's council this week. Council President Richard Hrbek suggested the group could be a chamber of commerce. Several other nearby towns, including Westwood, Paramus and Ridgewood, all have chambers of their own.

The Westwood Chamber of Commerce holds many events to draw people to its downtown, including the .

Kipriadis said an event like a farmers' market might be a good fit for the Town Center. If more people come to the center, more businesses might follow, helping bring more customers to existing businesses as well.

"This is not a ghost town," Kipriadis said. "There are stores and they are worth visiting."

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