The purpose of the letter is to comment on the proposed Hammonton Farmers Market.We understand the need to attract potential customers to down-town establishments.However, the fundamental problem is that a Farmers Market will actually hurt Hammonton businesses.
Hammonton already provides numerous outlets to purchase Italian meats and cheeses,fresh fruits and vegetables and flowers and garden supplies. Establishments such as our numerous road-side stands and stores such as Baglianis, Inferreras and Horizon Grocery have answered the demand for the same products that a Farmers Market would provide.
Indeed Farmers Markets have been successful in communities such as Collingswood and OceanCity but those towns did not have pre-existing stores providing farmer market-type products. In Hammonton, such a market will actually harm our pre-existing businesses.Before approving this measure, the Town Council should remember the fate that Starbucks encountered in Hammonton.Its closure occurred because Hammonton could not support multiple coffee establishments. Should the Farmer Market move forward, Adam Smiths invisible hand of supply and demand will again prove a harsh taskmaster and its victims will be long-established local businesses.
However, we realize the need to attract customers to the down-town.So for a short-term solution, we suggest a Town Tour in which local establishments would be highlighted.Such a tour could occur perhaps three times over the summer.This tour would be based on the annual Tour of Homes in Hammonton in which historical homes are opened to the public.
However, as the economic recovery begins, we also must look to the long-term.Therefore, the Town Council should focus on attracting large-employers to the Industrial Park.Such businesses not only would reverse job losses but also create a customer base for local establishments.The Town Council could attract large businesses by reforming the tax abatement program, participating in the NJ Manufacturing Extension Program and establishing a U.S. Department of Commerce Free Trade Area in the Industrial Park.
We appreciate innovative approaches to problems.We realize that the vacancy problem down-town will only be solved through outside-the-box thinking.Unfortunately, the hastily thought-out Farmers Market idea actually will cause more harm than good.Therefore, we encourage the Town Council to consider other ideas for economic development.
Joseph IngemiSam Mento III
PresidentPast President
Hammonton Democratic ClubHammonton Democratic Club
-- Edited by Admin on Wednesday 18th of March 2009 09:12:33 AM
This farmers market idea is someone's way to change Hammonton into a Collingswood or Haddonfield. Let's be supportive of our existing businesses and not be so quick to harm several businesses for the benefit of a few. This will only hurt the farmer's markets on the Pike as well long established tax paying stores already in town that sell produce. Save the temporary carts for festivals and parades.
Collingswood, Haddonfield.....YUCK! I've recently traveled around both of these towns and I'm not impressed. Hammonton is already far superior not to mention cleaner. They are old and dingy. Stop trying to turn us into either of them. Let's try for to make it better than it already is.
You want a Famers Market fine. You know they are going to cram it down our throats so let's make it better. Will crafters be welcome? Will you allow people with unique quality ideas and items to be there? How will you make sure someone is not out there selling their yard sale items? Where are you going to have them park? Who are you going to get to police the area? Will you allow the police to at least hire reserve officers to help with the crowds and parking issues.
What is your game plan? Do you actually have one? Can you do it bigger and better than any other's in the area? Can you do it with out being direct competition to the local farm markets on the WHP?
Lastly, do you think you can concentrate of getting some real stores into this town not our local Wal-Mart which is 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag.
This seems like a idea to have an open market produce store that may help bring some additional customers to the Hammonton area. The more traffic the better for all business people in Hammonton. If any new businesses want to come to Hammonton I would welcome them with open arms.
I am not a supporter of discouraging new business people. I would love to have no business competition in my line of work, my profits would go thru the roof. The free market system works, lets not bully around new business owners who may help employee some of our residents.
Do you really think that a couple of stands are going to employ people? It is not about discouraging new business. It is about having more vacancies because we drove out existing businesses. Meanwhile, these people moonlighting move on to the next flea market.
New business is great, but the keyword is new. Under your comments we could fill every empty store downtown with a produce store and you would be happy, unfortunately that wouldn't work. We need a diversity of businesses for all to be successful. We shouldn't bring in new competition for the businesses that have served us for decades and have an established clientel.
If someone wants to open up a new stem cell research center in Hammonton that would be great but I am willing to settle for any new capital being invested in the town. A new restaurant, a new hospital, a new road contractor, a new doctor's practice or a new car dealer would all be welcomed additions to our town.
My advice would be to remove as many government obstacles as possible to encourage new business owners. For example, lower taxes and fees on new business will encourage new business. Do not add more burdensome government regulations, such as mandatory family leave, increasing the minimum wage, higher payroll taxes, etc.
Whoever has the courage to start any new business in Hammonton or New Jersey should be welcomed and encouraged. I wish everyone luck in starting any new business in Hammonton.
Let's welcome Permanent new businesses not some guy selling stuff that's packed in the back of their trunk. Save the yard sale stuff for the Townwide yard sales and church flea markets that we have throughout the year.
RESOLUTION # 35-2009 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND ENDORSING HAMMONTON FARMERS MARKET
WHEREAS, MainStreet Hammonton Organization and Hammontons Green Committee have and continue to promote the Town of Hammonton with scheduled events in the downtown business district; and
WHEREAS, Mayor and Council has and continues to support the efforts of MainStreet Hammonton and Hammontons Green Committee; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF HAMMONTON, COUNTY OF ATLANTIC, STATE OF NEW JERSEY that the Town of Hammonton authorizes and endorses the Hammonton Farmers Market to take place each Saturday from May 23, 2009 through September 5, 2009 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that approval be granted for the closing of Front Street from 12th Street to Passmore Avenue during the Hammonton Farmers Market Event; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the request for no parking overnight on Fridays be approved during the Hammonton Farmers Market Event; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Hammonton will provide trash removal and police assistance during this event; and
-- Edited by Admin on Thursday 19th of March 2009 10:24:44 AM
Where are the vendors going to park? What guarantee is there that this doesn't become some flea market where some guy sells from their trunk or the back of their pickup? If this is to be a "farmer's market" then it should just be fruits, vegetables and/or something made or produce by the business themselves. There should also be a strong emphasis no political signs at this place.
Where are the vendors going to park? What guarantee is there that this doesn't become some flea market where some guy sells from their trunk or the back of their pickup? If this is to be a "farmer's market" then it should just be fruits, vegetables and/or something made or produce by the business themselves. There should also be a strong emphasis no political signs at this place.
Didn't the Democrats already make the Farmer's Market political when they attacked it in the paper?
Where are the vendors going to park? What guarantee is there that this doesn't become some flea market where some guy sells from their trunk or the back of their pickup? If this is to be a "farmer's market" then it should just be fruits, vegetables and/or something made or produce by the business themselves. There should also be a strong emphasis no political signs at this place.
Didn't the Democrats already make the Farmer's Market political when they attacked it in the paper?
You know what I mean no political signs. Anything that involves tax payer money is political so you'll know. I see this is a means for Hammonton First to hold an event at the Farmer's Market on the tax payers dime.
