D'Arpino Named Chamber of Commerce President

For the first time in seven years, the Harrison Chamber of Commerce has a new leader.

Anthony D'Arpino, owner of the Harrison Wine Vault downtown, is the new Harrison Chamber of Commerce president, replacing long-time chamber president Ada Angarano who .

The new president said this week he is looking forward to meeting business owners and creating some short and long term goals to rejuvenate the area. The town's business district has struggled recent years, as many businesses continue to fight to stay afloat. But D'Arpino said there is a renewed optimism in town, which he hopes to build on and maintain in the years to come.

"Being positive can be contagious, and being negative can be contagious," he said. "Every little bit helps, and communication is a big thing."

D'Arpino said he plans to use the position to facilitate communication between downtown vendors, adding that he is looking forward to meeting with merchants in the area and learning from them as he settles in. He has been meeting with Angarano; who is also a popular philanthropist in the business community, to discuss an approach he hopes will build a sense of pride among the businesses.

"I'm doing more listening at this point and taking everything in stride; as well as trying to add as much as I can," D'Arpino said. "I think if everyone is on the same page and we just take these small steps together and keep moving forward, I think it's going to happen."

Angarano said D'Arpino was selected because he represents a good business mind to help build the economics side of the chamber. Although popular with the merchants in town, Angarano said she had focused more on fundraisers and events and that this move could help develop the chamber's business side.

"You really need merchants to control the chamber," she said, adding that she will continue to help with charitable projects in town. "They really have an inside view of what's going on."

John Stubenvoll, owner of the Oakland Grill and the new Harrison Ale House, will help select the chamber of commerce's new executive board, Angarano said.

Moving forward, short term goals are the immediate priority for downtown, said D'Arpino, and little things like sweeping sidewalks and taking care of storefronts can build momentum for the district moving forward. Larger events and projects are possible down the line as well, but D'Arpino said he wants to speak with merchants first to see what types of projects they would support.

"It's not going to happen overnight—I think everyone realizes that—but as long as we have two things in place, the short term and long term goals, we can keep things positive," D'Arpino said.

A critical long-term consideration is the proposed MTA project at the Harrison Train Station. While the newly formed Downtown Revitalization Committee , D'Arpino said he is looking forward to working with that committee moving forward. He said both groups are working toward the same goal, and will work with business owners to find plans that fit the needs of Harrison merchants.

In the meantime, D'Arpino's other goals include meeting with representatives from surrounding communities and picking their brains for ideas that might help out in Harrison.

Although the business district has had its share of struggles in the past, D'Arpino said he has learned the key to maintaining a helpful chamber of commerce is making it an entity people believe in.

"Listening to people, other chambers and other business owners and trying to find a way to create the enthusiasm to support the chamber, be part of the chamber and to believe in the chamber as far as achieving whatever goals we set out (is important)," D'Arpino said.

Having last fall, D'Arpino added that although he looks forward to learning more about the local business community, his own impression has been that downtown is a place where businesses can succeed and thrive in the long term.

"I obviously did my research before opening up here," he said. "I believe in being here, I believe in opening a business in Harrison."