‘Keep Chatham Thriving,’ Shop Local During The Holiday And Beyond

CHATHAM, NJ — With COVID-19 and then supply chain interruptions, many local businesses are still thriving because of their own savvy, with help and boosts along with the way.

“Keep Chatham Thriving” is one of those helping hands for businesses in Chatham. Resident MJ Morgan, who owns Embel Consulting, a social media marketing company, started the grassroots effort with another resident, to help get the word out about businesses in both of the Chathams.

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What began as an initiative in 2020 to help centralize information about restaurants and shops during COVID's height, has continued to grow as a way to support local businesses, Morgan told Patch.

Without a Chamber of Commerce for the Chathams specifically, Morgan has worked with the Chatham Borough Economic Advisory Committee, Keep Chatham Thriving one of several helpful links on the Economic Advisory Commitee’s webpage.

There are no membership requirements for the businesses with the Keep Chatham Thriving’s Facebook and Instagram, both resources for real-time information for shoppers and people looking to dine out.

Morgan was impressed about the creativity each business took to survive during the pandemic, with six new restaurants springing up in Chatham Borough alone, in what Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz called in earlier 2021 a “renaissance.”

Morgan marveled at the things businesses did while they were shut down, with “really incredible, positive things,” they undertook to make it through.

It was that creativity and troubleshooting, which has helped to keep the businesses resilient, she said, as they weather through the latest supply chain and shipping issues that have attempted to take hold of the nation.

In local stores like the ones in Chatham, shoppers can still find a range of items for everyone on their lists, from food to coffee to gifts to toys and much more.

What are some events coming up for the holidays so far in Chatham businesses?

On Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27, Sorriso Kitchen on 252 Main Street, is celebrating its third anniversary, with giveaways all day.

On Saturday, December 5, Purple Aardvark on 240 Main Street is hosting its “Kids Shopping Day” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The store can help kids shop and make cards for the people in their lives, as well as wrap the presents for them.

House of Dezign on 11B Roosevelt Avenue is hosting a “Sip and Sew Night,” teaching attendees to make their own own apron, on Thursday, Dec. 9 and Friday, Dec. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m., with refreshments and hors d’oeuvres from Restaurant Serenade.

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A reminder of how local businesses are the lifeblood of every community came from Purple Aardvark that “Christmas is not in danger,” with shopping possibilities overflowing in every downtown.

“The work of local artists and makers is not stuck on a dock in a shipping container,” the store wrote. “This is the perfect opportunity to shop local.”

Stay tuned to Keep Chatham Thriving for information about things Chatham businesses are doing or have to offer, from pies to gifts and more.

Follow Keep Chatham Thriving on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepchathamthriving.

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepchathamthriving.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.