First Night

[admin]

I googled Asbury Park and First Night which was an initiative they used to revitalize their down town Cookman Ave area. It is a great marketing ploy that can accentuate positive movement. Apparently, other towns have done the same. We already have much of what is needed in place, but what could Freehold do more of?

First Night in AP basically was a large marketing strategy where the stores remained open later than usual, as opposed to closing at five or six PM. Again, this should be tied into events that we have in town.


www.ahherald.com/news/2004/1223/rb_first_night.htm

www.ava.org/clubs/paws/200775029.htm

[admin]

I attempted to access the APP archives for related stories, but they charge a fee for archived stories.

First Night in AP should not be confused with the New Year celebration that many towns hold.

[LS]

Freehold does not have enough retail stores to warrant a first night. That is (part of) the problem.

If we had some more retail stores, they could do first night in conjuntion with some of that wasted summer night-time entertainment.

That anchor, or whatever the catch is, is what is needed. We don't have anything to complement our great restaurants.

[admin]

LS, you are right about the lack of retail stores. I mean this thread more in context of the future. Asbury sure did not begin the first night when they only had two stores. And yes, it was that far gone.

And I like the entertainment! Could do without the crappy looking ice cream truck that is always there.

[LS]

Brian, if that Weezer truck was not there, no one would make any money from the entertainment being there.

[LS]

p.s. it's called first saturday:

www.firstsaturdayasburypark.com/

[admin]

LS said:

p.s. it's called first saturday:

www.firstsaturdayasburypark.com/

They must have changed the name. The article I found in the APP did say something about first night, the marketing I mentioned. I just was not going to buy an archived article.

www.asburyparkconventionhall.com/firstsat.shtml

66.148.61.236/news1153.htm

wjrz.com/skin/event.php?sectionId=178&contentId=18029

[admin]

I stand corrected


BYLINE: JOHN MAJESKI/Staff Writer

BODY:
It's back.

First Saturday Night Asbury Park will return this month to the city's downtown, with businesses staying open late and shoppers finding special sales, giveaways, live music, trolley rides and refreshments.

The free event kicks off 6 p.m. Saturday.

Although this month's theme is Art After Dark - a nod to the city's arts community - participating businesses also include restaurants, gift shops, stores with home furnishings and other retail merchants.

Modeled after the First Friday arts events in Philadelphia and New York, and designed to spread the word about the city's renaissance, First Saturday Night Asbury Park started in December. With the exception of January, the event has been held on a regular basis.

"I think it's going to be great," said Doug Forbes, owner of Rock Paper Scissors Gallery on Cookman Avenue, one of the merchants who helped found the event. "This (First Saturday Night Asbury Park) was handed over to the city because they have extended resources."

Forbes said he hopes the monthly events continue to generate business in the downtown area, where merchants are continuing to spread the word that Asbury Park is on its way back."The great thing about it (First Saturday Night) is that businesses do their own thing," he said. "We'll be having our own (art) show, and others will be doing the same."

For more information about First Saturday Night Asbury Park, Art After Dark, visit www.firstsaturdayasburypark.com/ on the Web or call the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce at [phone].



LOAD-DATE: May 9, 2005