The Chamber of Commerce of the Incorporated Village of Garden City has proven in their latest issue of the Business Bulletin that not only are they a voice for the local merchants, but they are advocates for the consumers as well. President Bertram Donley has used his page one venue in their newsletter to take strong stands on issues from parking to the overdevelopment of central Nassau County. He has once again used the newsletter to take a stand within the business community on beautifying the commercial district of the Village. While commending the Village on its significant investment in the appearance of the area with the Franklin Avenue Beautification Project, he notes that without the merchants themselves getting involved in beautifying the area, consumers will not be drawn to the area to shop and conduct business.

Donley strongly urges landlords and tenants to consider some external redecorating. He recommends replacing signage, which he describes as "light-box type of sign that evokes a less prosperous type of district," with some new awnings. In order to ensure that these signs meet the strict standards of taste and style in the Village, Donley suggests that merchants contact the Architectural Design Review Board to work with them to develop "the best possible look" in both the front and rear of shops and businesses. Following the recommendations of the William Bradford Turner Post 265 of the American Legion, which has been conducting a Red, White and Blue Program to encourage residents and merchants to fly the American Flag, Donley urges merchants to include the American Flag in their new look.

Donley boldly points out what he considers the biggest problem impeding the total beautification of the area -- the garbage situation, particularly in municipal lot 7S. "Unfortunately, the refuse aspect of our business endeavors is usually not a priority in the day-to-day running of our establishments. Citizens (customers) have brought to our attention serious affronts to the visual and olfactory senses, the result of lax practices. Dumpsters and garbage cans have lids and they should be kept closed. Many containers are overflowing. This means you should get another, or a bigger one. ...Further the refuse areas are supposed to be enclosed -- shielded by fencing, with a gate that is kept closed. This is the most frequently ignored regulation," Donley writes.

Donley also advises that the Village of Garden City will collect garbage from containers up to one yard dumpsters six days a week early in the morning, before regular business hours. This service is funded through taxes and poses no extra fees for merchants. Any refuse receptacle larger than the one yard dumpster would require hiring a commercial garbage collector to come and empty it. Donley goes so far as to explain how the garbage should be placed properly within the receptacles. He even advises merchants that there are "attractive" fencing options for their garbage receptacle areas.

The Chamber of Commerce, according to Donley, will be taking action on his editorial piece and working with businesses to clean up and beautify the rear entrances by pointing out some problem areas. Donley writes, "...there is a need for substantial improvement for offending businesses. The Chamber intends to write to those businesses, provide photographs of what has been observed, and offer assistance in improving conditions." Donley acknowledges, "We recognize also that there are larger issues involving indoor storage of refuse, creating central collection areas and redesigning the rears of the stores to include storage. We look forward to increased awareness of and cooperation in correcting this issue."

Lot 7S, behind such stores as Things and Stuff and Riesterer's Bakery has been the focus of many discussions within the Village's Traffic Commission to address the issue of limited parking. Many residents have complained that the large dumpsters behind many of the shops like the delis, catering places and restaurants prohibit any quick parking right by the shop which could help alleviate some of the parking limitations; however, most consumers acknowledge that the reality of running a food industry business is the need for dumpsters and the Traffic Commission has worked hard to implement helpful parking solutions. The Commission has placed 15 minute parking signs within the lot to allow for quick trips into the bank, for example, and the Village and Chamber of Commerce has worked to encourage employees of the business on Franklin Southwest and Seventh Street between Franklin Avenue and Hilton Avenue to park somewhere else. There is more parking across the street in lot 7N.

The issue of beautification of the rear entrance of stores is perhaps peculiar to Garden City where most stores and businesses on Franklin Avenue are accessed from the rear. Shoppers headed for one store could be drawn to visit others if the rear area of the shops enticed them. Businesses like the very popular restaurant Waterzooi have answered the call of consumers in the Village by not only having an awning and attractive rear door, but actually creating an outdoor dining patio in the rear of the restaurant. Plans for the soon to arrive Kings Super Markets shop by Waterzooi have taken into consideration the importance of a visually pleasing rear entrance. The Chamber advises considering a whole new rear facade or just a new paint job.

The Village began plantings of new trees at the beginning of its beautification project and are currently working to complete the landscaping and the placing of accessories like benches and street lamps in the front area on Franklin Avenue. The Village Garden across from the new fountain is in place and promises to be a lovely spot this spring. Trellises along Franklin Avenue should be covered with flowering vines this spring and plants up and down Franklin should be in bloom. Merchants such as West and Stannish Opticians have already not only improved the outside of their stores, but have redecorated inside as well. Edmund's Showcase Restaurant has embraced the spirit of the beautification process and opened an al fresco dining cafe named in honor of the new Village Pavilion on the corner of Stewart and Franklin Avenues. Grand Union had undertaken and recently completed a massive redecorating project, completely reorganizing the interior of the store and improving the appearance of the exterior of the store.

It is the hope of the Chamber of Commerce that all businesses in the Village of Garden City will engage themselves in this spirit of revitalization and help usher in a renaissance for the commercial district. If all of the merchants worked to make their stores as beautiful as possible in both the front and rear, certainly the new look would inspire a whole new feeling within the Village. Shoppers certainly are drawn to stores through not only word of mouth but by appearances and the new Village business district is already dawning with new store and restaurants now in the Village and coming soon.

The Chamber of Commerce is open to businesses, merchants, and residents for membership. Interested individuals can call the Chamber of Commerce at 746-7724 or by stopping in at the Toll Lodge located at 230 Seventh Street. The Chamber's Nominating Committee is meeting this month to select six candidates to serve 3-year terms as directors. Candidates will be announced this spring and a vote will be taken on May 1 at the annual meeting.