Ridgewood Guild Springs Into Action

The Ridgewood Guild promised out-of-the-box methods to beautify the village, and it didn't take long for the new group to deliver.

Already underway, two programs seek to make Ridgewood hum with the din of music and the rustling of new tree leaves.

The Spring Plant-A-Thon and Music in the Night programs seek to return the luster to the central business district.

"The residents are concerned about what's happening downtown. I think we should do what we can," Guild President Tony Damiano said.

With help from members, the guild has partnered with Goffle Brook Farms and Garden Center to plant tree wells in front of local shops downtown. Residents will see spruced up trees in front of Hillmann Electric & Lighting, The Stable and Damiano's own Mango Jam, among others. 

"We want to make our presence felt right away and helping with the flowers and trees is a small step," he said.

Donna Dorsey of Goffle Brook Farms has provided the guild access to trees, flowers and topsoil at a discounted rate. So far, 18 tree wells have been planted throughout town and that continues at an ad-hoc basis. Guild members also plant the trees.

With a business on the village's western border, Dorsey has to find reasons to identify with the central business district. The guild provides her with that justification, she said.

"It's harder for me to find an excuse to come to Ridgewood if there's not a lot of different stores," she said. "With the guild, although it's new, it's done a great job. They're making it fun." 

And tonight, local musicians can audition for the guild's summer Music in the Night program. On Friday nights during May, June, July and August, street musicians will setup at four corners along Ridgewood Avenue and the West Side to provide a pleasant backdrop for strolling shoppers. The volunteer performance is open to students, amateurs and professionals alike.

It's a quick start for the group that was founded in March. After the first five weeks, the guild boasted 70 residential and commercial members—all with vested interests in improving Ridgewood, Damiano said.

A rivalry with the Chamber of Commerce seems natural, but Damiano played down that angle. "We're trying to compliment not conflict. We're different venues. For us, we're looking to do a lot with volunteers and residents."

Damiano—himself a former chamber president—said he's gotten longtime Ridgewood businesses that don't usually participate to get on board with the guild.

"We're picking up the standards, getting a synergy going. We're trying to recruit new businesses into town," he said.

The instituted ideas are just a start for the Ridgewood Guild. Damiano is working on a Dads and Grads promotion aligning with Father's Day. He also has summer plans for high school students.

Over the summer, Damiano wants to utilize high school students to voluntarily wash storefront windows. The action may not seem like much, but is a cost savings for businesses in an economy where every penny counts. "A little savings goes a long way," he said.

Damiano promises a proactive outlook to get the town hopping again.

For information on auditioning or questions concerning the guild, e-mail ridgewoodguild@aol.com.