The Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant is designed to assist Hackettstown BID Businesses that wish to improve and maintain the appearance of their businesses through the creation of improved signage, lighting, painting or other small exterior initiatives. This is the Hackettstown BID's first grant program and is designed to assist several BID businesses per year. Grants are offered on a matching basis with the maximum payout of $1,000 per business. Building tenants must have the cooperation and approval of the building owner.

The first approvals were made at the Hackettstown BID's Maintenance and Improvement Committee Meeting on June 24th. Two properties were awarded the maximum payout of $1,000.

East Plane Plaza property owner, Robert Blasi was award $1,000 for the replacement of awnings along the East Plane Plaza building. The current awnings have deteriorated and it was the Mr. Blasi's intention to replace them with new ones to keep a professional and appealing look to the building
"I'm very pleased," said Mr. Blasi, "Its nice to see things coming back to the business people and property owners."

The other $1,000 award went to Dr. Arnold Yoskowitz, owner of the building at 302 Main Street. The building was recently stripped, sanded, and painted. "We made an investment in the building, because we believe in Hackettstown and its future," said Dr. Yoskowitz.

This special performance is part of the monthly Music off Main at Arts off Main series. Tickets for the show are $20 each and as seating is limited, reservations are recommended.

Uncle Floyd's show at Arts off Main, located at 128 Willow Grove Street, starts at 7:30.

Easily recognizable by his out-of-fashion signature plaid suits and straw hat, Uncle Floyd is a true icon. A part of the New York area metro scene since the 1970s, his show, the Uncle Floyd Show, has appeared on many cable systems over the years, not just in New Jersey but throughout the United States. Many refer to his TV show as "TV's strangest adult kiddie show." He can also be heard on weekly on Sirius Satellite Radio, as a regular on "The Wiseguy Show."

In addition, Uncle Floyd regularly performs his unforgettably hilarious shows at nightclubs throughout the tri-state area where he enjoys a solid fan base and mixes comedy with song while playing rip-roaring tunes on the piano. He has opened for Chubby Checker, Connie Francis, Jerry Vale, Pat Cooper, Melba Moore, Leon Redbone, Jimmy Roselli and hundreds of other big name stars.

In addition, Uncle Floyd has appeared on numerous TV shows and movies, including "Good Morning Vietnam," "Law & Order" and "Cosby." Uncle Floyd has recorded several CDs.

The show is being promoted by Joe Hirsh Productions and WNTI, in association with Arts off Main. Light refreshments are available for purchase.

For further information or to make reservations, call Arts off Main, 908-684-4ART (4278) or email joehirsh@msn.com. In either case, please be sure to indicate how many tickets you would like and leave a phone number for confirmation. For more about Joe Hirsh Productions, visit www.joehirshproductions.com or www.myspace.com/joehirsh, for WNTI, go to www.wnti.org, and Arts off Main, www.artsoffmain.com.

Got a really great car you've been working on all winter and spring? Ready to show it off? Bring it on down to the first annual Stiger Street Cruise Nights. The Cruise Nights will run from 6:00pm-8:30pm at the Main Street Plaza on July 15th, Aug. 19th, Sep. 16th, and Oct. 14th. The Main Street Plaza is located at the intersection of Main Street and Stiger Street, Hackettstown, NJ.

General Admission is free and there will be lots of fun places to shop and grab a bite to eat while you're looking at the cars. If you would like to bring your own car down, it will be $15 for each night or $50 for all four nights. Each car that participates will get a goodie bag filled with items from the stores along Stiger Street.

Each show we'll be asking spectators to vote for the best car of the night. Each winning car will receive a plaque and prizes. Thats not all...those votes cast by spectators are also entry forms to win bigger prizes after the first two cruise nights and the last two.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO REGISTER YOUR CAR - CLICK HERE 

Bring your family and friends, lawn chairs and picnic blankets and sit out under the stars and enjoy two great nights of live music in Hackettstown. The Hackettstown Business Improvement District (BID) will be running it's 2nd Annual Free July Concert Series. The July Concert Series is an event the BID created to showcase some of the local businesses down in the Mountain Avenue Area of the business district.

The July Concert Series will be the two middle Wednesday in July at Hoffman Floors' parking lot, Mountain Avenue, Hackettstown. The concerts will run from 7:30pm-9:30pm. Viewing area is on a first come first served basis and it is advised that you arrive early.

July 16th will be Jazz Night, featuring a Latin Jazz Sextet with Russ Kassoff on piano.

July 23rd will be Rock Night, featuring two area rock bands, "Reverse Order" & "Pinnacle."

These are free concerts, but you'll still need to obtain a ticket for admittance into the concerts. Tickets are available in many of the businesses throughout the business district. Extra Tickets will be available at Skylands Community Bank, Harpers Bagel & Bake Shop, Hackettstown Trading Post, Hackettstown Ford, and Skylands Community Pharmacy.

The Free July Concert Series will be July 16th and 23rd with rain dates July 17th and the 24th. This year's concerts are being sponsored by Hackettstown Ford.

For more information about the Hackettstown Business Improvement District, contact Mr. Rucki at 908.850.5004 or email director@hackettstownbid.com. Addition information may be obtained by visiting hackettstownbid.com

On Thursday, June 19th the Hackettstown BID along with Mayor Michael Lavery formally welcomed two new businesses into Hackettstown.  The Mayor was on hand to cut the ribbon at Anthony's Italian Hot Dogs and What in the World.

Anthony's Italian Hot Dogs is located at 127B Main Street, and is the site of some of the best Italian hot dogs in our area.  You'd have to drive to Newark to get Italian hot dogs this good.  Owners Karen and Anthony Suppa are excited to bring this unique store to our community.  When you're there... definitely try the canolis!!! 

What in the World is located at 229 Main Street in the Mini Mall.  What in the World is a fair trade businesses that sells hand made products from all over the world.  They were previously located in Mansfield, but our now happy to be open right on Main Street here in Hackettstown.  Vicki and Al Kopacka run What in the World and I can guarantee that with every purchase, you'll also get a wonderful education on their truly unique products. 

The vote took place at the Hackettstown Municipal Building on Monday, June 16th. Over 80 ballots were casts to fill five seats on the Board of Directors, which include three (3) two year terms for commercial property owners and two (2) two-year terms for business owner/merchant. The following candidates were elected for their respective seats.

Business Property Owners:
Ted Sypniewsky: Valley Auto & Tire
Robert Blasi: East Plane Plaza property owner
Keith Detombeur: multiple Main St. property owner

Business Representative:
Tim Lawshe: Napa Auto Parts
Roxann Trucksess: Cozy Corner Deli

These new directors are instated immediately and will be serving on various committees and carrying out the mission of the Hackettstown BID.

Please click here to download the application form. Application forms may also be picked up at the BID office, 207 Main St.

On Friday June 13 Tannehill will come "home" for a special performance at Arts off Main Art Gallery in Hackettstown.

Tannehill will perform from 7:30-9:30 p.m. as part of the Music off Main music series (second Friday of every month) at Arts off Main, 128 Willow Grove Street.

Tannehill is all of these wrapped up into one: acoustic rock artist, singer, songwriter, story teller and poet.

A carpenter by trade, Tannehill has been known to write many of his best songs while sitting on someone's rooftop.

For those unfamiliar with Tannehill's work, think of an eclectic combination of Steve Forbert, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, but clearly with his own unique style and voice.

Tannehill has recorded several albums including "Greatest Hints" and "Earlier Lateley - The Very Blest of Jack Tannehill," both of which have been top sellers regionally.

The coffeehouse-like event, promoted by Joe Hirsh Productions and WNTI, in association with Arts off Main, is open to the public. Cost is just $5 per person at the door. Attendees can listen to great music in a laid-back atmosphere and also check out some great artwork and jewelry made by area artists. There is a nominal cost for coffee and light refreshments.

For further information, call Arts off Main, 908-684-4ART (4278). Musicians interested in performing at a Joe Hirsh Productions show should mail CDs and bio to Joe Hirsh Productions, 222 Pine Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. For more about Joe Hirsh Productions, visit www.joehirshproductions.com or www.myspace.com/joehirsh, for WNTI, go to www.wnti.org, and Arts off Main, www.artsoffmain.com.

In addition, Prickly Pear is also offering a great $10.95 Prix Fixe Lunch Menu:

Choice of Soup or Salad:

Caramelized Onion

Soup du Jour

House Salad

Mesclun Greens, Tomatoes, Carrots, Red Onion, Cucumbers,

Choice of Dressing

Sandwich Selections:

Grilled Pastrami and Swiss

Sliced Pastrami, Swiss Cheese, Toasted Rye Bread

Chicken Salad

Chicken Breast, Apples, Walnuts, Kaiser Roll

Turkey BLT Wrap

Turkey, Chopped Lettuce, Tomato, Bacon

Fish Sandwich

Battered Cod Fillet, Lettuce, Tartar Sauce, Kaiser Roll

(All Sandwiches served with Chips and a Pickle)

Dessert Selections:

From Our Daily Dessert Menu

$ 10.95 per person plus tax

Substitutions will be priced accordingly

Coupons can not be applied.

At this fun and informative program, you will formally taste and review a number of organic specialty teas, learn about the origin and properties of black, green, white, oolong, blends and tisanes. Find out how tea is processed, how loose leaf tea differs from tea packed in tea bags, how long and at what temperature to brew different types of tea. The tasting will be lead by Jane Sandlar, owner & purveyor of Duckylife Tea, and is Specialty Tea Institute certified at the highest level.

The tea tasting includes a dessert buffet - $25. Reserve by Wed. 6/4 -(908) 684-8440.

Visit Kathy's Kove & Kafe': www.kathyskove.com

Who: Kathy's Kafe'
What: Professional Tea Tasting
Where: Kathy's Kafe' - 116 Main St. - Hackettstown
When: Sunday, June 8th 3pm to 5pm