BRICK – The 2015 ordinance that incentivizes “Mom and Pop” small businesses to open here was extended by the governing body on its first reading.
The “Waiver of Fees for Construction to Promote the Renovation of Existing Vacant Commercial Structures” would remain in effect until December 31, 2022, said Mayor John G. Ducey during the February 8 council meeting.
“What we did was waive the fee for any business that was under 5,000 square feet that was vacant for at least one year,” he said.
“Those are the type of storefronts we have around town because the planners in years past decided to have strip malls all over town, so we have these smaller types of storefronts,” the mayor said.
The program has been successful, but there are still some empty storefronts remaining, he said. The ordinance helps small business owners with start-up costs while they’re dealing with shelving, inventory and other expenses, the mayor said.
Brick was the first municipality in New Jersey to adopt such an ordinance during a time when there were vacant storefronts all over town, Mayor Ducey said.
“We thought all types of businesses could take advantage of this: yoga studios, florists, bakeries – all these different smaller businesses you see around town have taken advantage of it,” he said. “Small businesses are the backbone of any community.”
According to Township Business Administrator Joanne Bergin, some 28 small businesses have taken advantage of the fee waiver since 2015.
Summerfest Plans
Plans for the upcoming Summerfest Concert series are coming into focus as township employees are lining up the bands and fireworks exhibitions.
“Summer’s almost here, right?” said Mayor John G. Ducey during the February 8 council meeting. “We’re sitting here in 35-degree weather, but this resolution authorizes the receipt of bids for aerial fireworks during the Summerfest concert series as well as our FallFest.”
Last year the township scheduled a total of five fireworks shows at the cost of $22,000, he said.
The concerts will take place on Thursday nights, starting June 30 with Super Trans AM, who bill themselves as a 70s concert experience.
On July 7 will be Stifler’s Mom, who says their music is “The Ultimate 90s Experience.”
The Benjamins are scheduled for July 14. Established in 1999, the band is a high-energy act that performs cover songs from every genre and era.
The last concert is planned for July 21 and will feature Jessie’s Girl, who play songs from the 80s.
“That’s our lineup for this year’s 2022 Summerfest, and I can’t wait for that weather to be here and have a good time,” Mayor Ducey said.
The council also authorized the receipt of bids for the operation of the Brick Beach 1 food concession stand.
The township receives $5,100 for the current one-year contract with Castaway Kitchen, LLC, which expired at the end of the 2021 summer season, said Councilman Perry Albanese.
