Chamber Members Want Biz Signs in Downtown Ridgewood

An initiative to boost the visibility of Ridgewood businesses on the side streets of downtown is being pitched as a "private-public partnership" by Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce members.

On Wednesday, It's Greek to Me owner Paul Vagianos and chamber president Tom Hillman, of Hillmann Lighting, asked the council to consider a "pilot program" to construct street signs with shingles informing passerbys of businesses nearby.

If the council agrees to the proposal, the new signs would be installed along East Ridgewood Avenue at the northeast corners of Broad, Chestnut and Oak Streets. If the pilot program is deemed successful, signs could pop up at other side streets off East Ridgewood Ave.

The metal posts, black with bronze trim, would rise between 7-to 12 feet and hold shingles on both sides, displaying the names of multiple businesses. They would allow for only the business' name; no slogans, logos or telephone numbers would be permitted. The street sign would be affixed to the top of the pole.

Ridgewood's chamber would purchase and install the sign posts, with the chamber collecting a fee from the prospective businesses. It was supported by administrators, Vagianos told the council.

"This has been a model for what a public/private initiative can and should be," he said.

The prospective move would greatly "declutter" the glut of signs at the intersections, Hillmann said.

The chamber would take applications, then choose businesses in a lottery (Hillmann and Vagianos are ineligible). Should a selected business go belly up, the first merchant on the waiting list would be selected to replace it.

Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck was a big fan of the proposal.

"I want to give you a standing ovation and I'm trying so hard not to," she exclaimed in excitement.