Comments on: Chamber of Commerce’s Oysterfest to be Moved to Lake Avenue, Abandoning Cookman Businesses

By: Mike Hollemans

Mike Hollemans — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:45:42 +0000

Just had a chance to catch up on some comments… and honestly, each comment above have some great points…We have had many meetings and talks with local business owners on Cookman who have brought up suggestions and we are thankful for everyone’s excitement about the event. The suggestions and feedback is all being sent back to the Chamber and they (I) will keep you updated of any changes.

Although to the last point…”If it’s not broke, don’t fix it!”
All though the event was busy, we clearly laid out many “broke” parts of last year’s event…congestion, lack of seating, lack of beer and oysters, regular visitors couldn’t get to the stores, lack of parking, lack of shade, residential noise complaints, poor children’s area, poor VIP area, lines were to long for the width of the street, participation fees were not fair, minors drinking and many visitors BYOB to the event….

In no way am I saying the event was bad…but it did leave some room for improvement, which the Chamber is trying to do.

Thanks,
Mike

By: James

James — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:35:34 +0000

I attended the meeting at the passion group yesterday with an open mind. I appreciated that they listed many areas to improve the event from last year. What was missing from the conversation was all the things that went right with Oysterfest last year.
One person even complained that the street was so crowded she couldn’t carry boxes to venues. Isn’t that what we want?!!! We want Cookman Ave crowded. Overall last years event was a winning formula. By changing the location near Kennedy Park, it will pull people away from the shopping and restaurant district and when they are done with the festival they will just leave town. I am a Chamber member and appreciate using a local business to promote this event, but from what I saw from the presentation , there no effort to have any activities onto Cookman ave other then having a few balloon arches or clams painted on the streets. Its its not broke , don’t fix it!

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:02:54 +0000

If nothing else, at least we are now having a conversation!

I understand the Chamber is disturbed by what it sees at negative backlash, but now a dialogue has been opened. Yes, many businesses that have been complaining are not Chamber members. Perhaps they will become members based on the response and the willingness to communicate with businesses in town. A responsive Chamber that has more transparency and communications with its membership AND ITS NEIGHBORS can only be a better Chamber. Other promotional companies operate in the city and generally consider the interests of their fellow business entities in their decisions. We as a City would not tolerate an event or a promoter that said, ” We are only concerned with the opinions of our investors and not those businesses who have not invested in our event”. The fact is, it is good business to be a good neighbor. And good neighbors work to keep positive relationships.

Anyway, I for one am happy to hear the conversation continue and wish the best of luck to all involved. Here’s to a great season!

By: Cathy Sutherland

Cathy Sutherland — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:55:28 +0000

Thank you for providing these comments which help us to better understand both sides of the story. While the need for a means of bridging the boardwalk and downtown is a critical to maintaining the overall health of the organism known as AP, I do not agree that bringing people to Lake Avenue will accomplish that goal. It is the least pretty area of AP due to the “backside view” of most of the buildings, save Moonstruck. The view of OG is pleasant but that’s not who we’re supposed to be promoting. While I am trying hard to understand the rationale, I don’t have any idea what might cause people to funnel backward into downtown if all their needs are being met so nicely by the event-experienced Passion Group – most attendees will simply stay put. As a former general manager of shopping centers I’ve spent many painful hours working to resurrect struggling retail in challenging markets and the lessons I learned were many. Here are two that might apply to Asbury: 1. Never drive traffic away from stores even if you have a better event “space” out in the parking lot or in a near by area regardless of the amount of natural beauty that may be present. The end result is that people come, they enjoy the event and they leave, never to have dropped a dollar in a store and b) when tenants are struggling landlords need to understand that the relationship is a partnership and some rent is better than no rent. Be flexible. The tenant you save is one who will stick with you and all good real estate people know that tenant turnover costs money, plus, we are not in a market where people are knocking down the door to sign up just yet. Rent relief can take many forms – how about a reduced base rent + % of sales over a break point? This way everyone is a partner in the upside yet the base rent affords the landlord some insulation from the downside. How about it?
And one more thing that worries me. I was very sad to see not one, but two of the local police officers enter Americas Cup to tell the owner he had to remove his outdoor tables because there was no rope around them. I imagine there must be a good business reason for this, but I don’t believe it was explained. Cafe seating is a huge draw for food businesses and creating a boundary between the tables and the public seems detrimental to the natural flow of food patrons and waitstaff and may even pose a trip hazard. Can someone clarify this for me? I can vouch for the fact that the tables in question occupied about 1/3 of the depth of the sidewalk and that egress was not impeded in any way. I know it had a negative impact on his business as I watched several people wander over then walk away as the tables and chair were folded and put away.
All of the businesses in Asbury need to be able to deploy every marketing tool in their bag of tricks – as long as it is not creating a serious problem. I’m just wondering if there is anyone who truly understands what it takes to survive as a retailer in city hall? – this is not a judgement, just a question. I think the stores need more empathic support of their initiatives and less “mall-cop” policing…or they will go away. I’d prefer not to see this as a boardwalk-only town. Do we really want another Atlantic City?

By: MasterShake

MasterShake — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:05:22 +0000

I agree with the sentiment of the comments here.

By: Fantasy

Fantasy — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:07:41 +0000

One year the Taste of Asbury was located on Lake. I think it was about 4 years ago. The highlight of the event was the extraction of a dead body from the Lake. YUM!

By: SG

SG — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:16:16 +0000

I thought the 2008 Oysterfest was both entertaining and a great promotion for local businesses. Holding the festival on Lake Ave. will only highlight the rear of most Asbury Park CBD buildings and the need for a paint job or 2. There is always the possibility newcomers to Asbury will be asking why Wesley Lake looks so unhealthy.
As the founding member of the Cookman Ave. Residents Association, I am in full support of Passion Group moving the festival back to Cookman Ave. Just keep the set up of the stage away from our residential units. Please.
Here is a light suggestion: maybe the Passion Group should require that each vendor come with enough food and beverage for the entirety of the festival. Last year, tickets were still being sold while almost all vendors had run out of food.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:38:00 +0000

I agree with Steve in that Lake is a pretty street…showcasing Ocean Grove. I also agree that there needs to be a bridge between the boardwalk and downtown. So as Kathy mentioned… where are the side walks and lighting that would make it an easy walk from downtown to the boardwalk.?Where are the signs on the boardwalk showing vistitors where downtown is, and that is it walkable? There should be a directory of downtown businesses on the boardwalk and a directory of boardwalk and downtown business at the head of cookman ave. Mapquest should be asked to show the direct route to the beach as down Cookman or Mattison… To showcase the vast developemnt that is going on downtown. Downtown Asbury Park (Bangs.Mattison, Cookman, Lake) has over 65 businesses with many more slated to open. The board walk has about 20 businessses. The downtown is VIABLE and needs and deserves to be touted. Last year’s Oyster Fest was a HUGE success for the participants. It was a low entry fee (250.00) verses a extreme entry fee of 500.00 this year. A 5.00 fee for the public to defray costs for the restaurants…I dont see how the math ads up. All particpants need to be given a breakdown of what the costs for the fair are… how the money that Passion Group/Chamber of Commerce are making is being allocated ( everyone last year got a break down of what each business made) The Chamber of Commerce is NOT A BUSINESS, and should not be looking to make money. These programs should make the businesses in town money. I did not join the Chamber this year, and no one seemed to care, which is fine. I think that in order for the Chamber to be effective, we (the businesses of Asbury Park) need to have access to the budget… marketing plans… elections etc… If some of these things were presented… there could be a reason to be a member of the Chamber. So far the only reason there is, is to save 100.00 on a booth at Oyster Fest.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:30:28 +0000

There are many questions the issue and the response raise for me, but foremost is the argument that Lake Avenue is the most picturesque place to have this event.

I totally disagree that the view of Ocean Grove is the most appealing to the eye. Rather, I think a vibrant eclectic and diverse city street is both most attractive and indicative of our community.

As far as the method and reasoning for moving the successful event to another street, I would very much like to hear more and hope the Chamber of Commerce responds in greater detail.

As a business owner on Cookman Avenue. although only now celebrating my 1st anniversary, I am very much opposed to moving this event. If however, it truly is to the great benefit of Asbury Park as a whole, I would support it. I do not yet believe that to be the case, but I would like to hear more.

Additionally, I do not see how this “bridges” the DownTown & The Boardwalk, although I certainly hope it does. I keep hoping that we can bridge the gap that exists between the downtown and the boardwalk by having a sidewalk installed, but that seems to be beyond the ability of the City to date.

I hope that this dialogue continues and I think its good for all involved to keep the lines of communication open!

Thanks allasburypark.com for starting the conversation!