You’re invited to celebrate “Back to School” at the Downtown Paterson Back to School Family Party on Saturday, August 27th on Van Houten Street between Main Street and Cianci Street from Noon to 5:00 PM.

Event features:
Magic Show for small children from Noon to 12:45 PM
Live Music Performed by Exodus Supreme from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
6 Popular Characters roaming the entire Downtown retail district to give autographs and higs to children and adults alike from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Trackless Train rides for small children from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Stop by the Paterson Free Public Library Table for a Complimentary Book, while supplies last.

BACK PACK GIVE-AWAY!! The first 200 people to check in at the check-in table next to the stage on Van Houten Street AND show a Downtown Paterson store receipt for any denomination will receive a free back pack for one child. Since many Downtown stores are running special promotions for back to school, getting a receipt from a store shall be easy for parents who are currently shopping and preparing their children for a successful start to a new school year!

Special promotions at various stores can be found. Here are some of the many promotions!

Kids Palace: Spend $50 and get a $5 gift card toward your next purchase. Spend $100 get a $15 gift card toward your next purchase. Also 10% off all school uniforms!

D&D 99 Cents Store: Backpacks on sale starting from $4.99!

Easy Pickins: Dickies Girls Khakis only $24.99, Fashion Tops are 2 for $16, Leggings are 2 for $10, T-shirts are $2 for $10.

Fabco Shoes: Buy One, Get One Half Off!

Edible Arrangements: $4 off all arrangements (perfect for a new classroom or faculty lounge).

Action Wear: Special In-store promotions on Jeans, Shoes, T-Shirts, Dress Shirts, and more.

ABC Plaza: Special In-store promotions on Jeans, Shirts, T-shirts, Caps, Short sets and more.

CH Martin: Huge Back to School Sale happening Now. Check the in-store 8-page circular.

Buy & Save Discount Store: All Back to school backpacks, notebooks, and clothes are on sale now!

Star Carpet: 20% off carpet sales and floor refinishing.

For more information about this event and about the promotions, call 973-881-7300!

First Ward Councilman Anthony Davis presents the first place trophy to Earnest Cuffie, a Paterson resident who beat out the other competitors for the title of “Top Dog!”

The Businesses and Merchants of Downtown Paterson recently sponsored the 1st Annual Amateur Hot dog Eating contest, as the City of Paterson launched Paterson PM.  Paterson PM is Mayor Jeffery Jones’ initiative to create a lively nightlife in Downtown Paterson, in-turn spurring economic growth in the City.

The launch event, a three day Memorial Day Festival took place on Market Street from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM over the holiday weekend. While most Paterson residents traveled to NJ beaches and lakes, many residents took the chance to enjoy a staycation in the Silk City.

In addition to the live music, kids zone, art exhibits, and food vendors, businesses on Main, Market, and Broadway placed selected sale and clearance items on their store sidewalks. Shoppers enjoyed discounted parking at the Van Houten Street parking garage, just a 30 second walk to Main Street.

Many other spring & summer events are planned for Downtown Paterson, which include the following.

Saturday, June 11th – Paterson Art Walk – a lively and well presented art exhibit throughout the Downtown and Historic Districts of Paterson. For more information: www.patersonartscouncil.org

Tuesday, June 28th – GREEN FAIR sponsored by the Passaic County Planning Department and The City of Paterson’s Green Team. The businesses and merchants of Downtown Paterson will participate with an exhibit booth at this event with a special “green” giveaway to the first 200 people to register for our Downtown events mailing list. Remember, shopping local is shopping green.

Friday, July 1st – Celebrate our Independence Day at the Downtown Paterson Fireworks Extravaganza. The display will be launched from the top of Garret Mountain overlooking Main Street. Main Street will be closed from Ward to Market Street, to allow for exciting festivities leading up to the display.

On Saturday, December 18, 2010 the Downtown Paterson Special Improvement District hosted a Santa’s Workshop and activity zone at 197 Main Street for the residents and shoppers of Downtown Paterson.

Unlimited pictures with Santa were offered per each child in attendance.  Furthermore, decorations were in abundance underneath Santa’s walkway filled with life-sized holiday themed balloon-art sculptures.  Children also had the opportunity to fulfill the old-time tradition of sitting upon Santa’s knee to whisper what they wanted for Christmas in his ear.  Much unlike the mall, Santa was able to spend much more attention to each child and walked around the space also getting involved in the other activities presented.

Cotton candy and candy canes were handed out in great quantities to help celebrate the holiday cheer and to appease any sweet tooth.  In addition, create-your-own sand art sculptures as well as professional face-paintings were offered for the young and the young at heart. 

Each activity was hosted with smiling faces and helpers who were eager to assist children as much as possible.  Holiday music was playing non-stop over the loud speakers to add to the feel.

Every activity was FREE of charge and was sponsored by the Downtown SID, which is a non-profit membership comprised of all of the merchants, property-owners, and businesses of Downtown Paterson. 

This fun holiday treat is only one of the many FREE events and giveaways sponsored by the SID and its members, each year.  For a complete listing of the other offerings please visit www.shoppaterson.com .

Rainbow stores have become a name that has truly made a mark since its Brooklyn inception in 1935.  Over the past 75 years, nearly 1,100 Rainbow shops have been established in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  With this many storefronts spread throughout 38 states and beyond, its shops inventory staple clothing and accessories “go-tos” for many girls, teens, young ladies, and middle-aged women.

With most stores based in the greater New York area, many women within the Paterson community are proud owners of Rainbow products.  As the brand has developed itself in the past few years, adding a Plus Size department and expanding its shoe and lingerie lines, Rainbow Shops proves its dedication to serving markets between the ages of 14-49.  In addition, Rainbow even sells school uniforms, providing accessible one-stop shopping for back-to-school and office attire clothing needs for children and mothers, alike. 

Due to its fairly priced items mostly falling in the $12-25 range and its anchorage in inner urban shopping districts Rainbow Shops has been successful at serving downtown communities.  The logo has become recognizable to many people and their online advertising has made Rainbow Shops, under the names of Rainbow, Rainbow Plus, Rainbow Kids, One Price, Kidspot, Caren Charles, Fashion Cents, Best Price, Foxmoor Emphasis, Ups N Downs, 5-7-9, and Marianne a true champion in the business.

Lucky for the Downtown Paterson community, a Rainbow Shop is conveniently located on Main Street, selling juniors, plus sizes, lingerie, children’s wear, shoes, and accessories. This Rainbow Shop has been an essential store to the shopping district for ten years, effectively supplying its customers with in demand products.

Store owner, Sal Eldien, is proud to serve the constituents of Paterson and other local cities and is pleased to be well-established downtown.  He admits to certain challenges over the years, one being the current state of the economy.  Yet just like behind any other prosperous business, there are managers such as Sam, who look to make positive adjustments to survive any rocky patches.

Throughout the last decade, Sam has seen the downtown area change immensely.  The demographics frequently turn over and the continual great pull to large shopping malls may have unfortunately drawn some customers away.  However, the fact that Sam was able to adapt national Rainbow policies in a strategic way to serve his specific customers shows his passion to honor their needs. 

In addition, the cleanliness and likeable appeal of the downtown streets have changed, once causing a concern for business. “The streets weren’t as well-kept, as they are now,” he states. “I’m grateful that (former) Mayor Torres and Mayor Jones have tried to establish downtown and keep it clean and safe,” he continued. 

Furthermore, Sal believes that although there is always friendly competition between local businesses, the new establishments of other name brand stores such as Toys R’ Us Express and many other shops inside the Center City Mall, as well as the continued accomplishments of stores such as Shopper’s World, among others, will help to continue to draw customers to the area.

Organizations and government programs such as the Downtown Special Improvement District, the Urban Enterprise Zone, and the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce have also done their part to restructure the area and rebuild Paterson as a shopping destination. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Sal is highly involved in the state of local business and cares deeply about the economic condition of Paterson.  He has taken part in several discussions about small business concerns such as revitalization and parking issues, with local elected officials and the aforementioned organizations, to not only see triumph for business, but also to lend a hand to his neighbors.  With community investments like these, Sal will only seek to help Paterson thrive and is certainly a vital businessman in the community. 

Consequently, all Rainbow Shops must follow company floor plans and certain regulations, but most shops also cater to the community they serve.  Sal says that the plus size department and the shoe department do well in Paterson.  He feels that the Plus Size was a nice addition to the Rainbow lines, as the junior-size cuts throughout the rest of the store may not fit most adult women.  He’s comfortable knowing that his store can accurately serve his patrons.

Furthermore, Sal notices that his sales are highest the first and second week of the month and he keeps his staff ready and prepared for the larger flow of customers.  He also honors the online coupons and the senior citizens’ discounts.  Yet to specifically benefit the Paterson community, Sal may offer additional discounts to regular customers because he feels that special touches such as these make all the difference.

Moreover, Sal believes that the small businesses thrive when owners and managers are present and active in the store’s production.  He states, “It is their business and they truly care about the sales made.  Furthermore, they can address situations and make any necessary decisions right away.”  This mentality truly shows to be unparalleled taking into account the continued sales of the store throughout the last decade.

When asked to sum up what sets a business apart from others of its kinds, Sal states that quality, personal service is the key. He believes that if you offer good service, quality items, and fair prices you will always attract business, no matter the state of the economy, or the allowance of the spenders.  Downtown Paterson constituents are certainly serviced by his business rituals that serve to assist the community.

Rainbow Shops at 175 Main Street is open on Sun: 9:30AM-7PM, Mon-Wed: 9:30AM-7:30PM, and Thu-Sat: 9:30AM-8PM.  For more information on store products and policies please call 973-345-8505 or visit www.rainbowshops.com.

The Businesses and Merchants of Downtown Paterson have once again signed on as the headlining sponsor of the Paterson Fireworks Spectacular, a $40,000 fireworks display set to launch on Friday, July 2, 2010.

The Fireworks will launch off of Garret Mountain overlooking the City. This offers residents the opportunity to view the display, one of Northern NJ’s largest, from the comfort of thier own backyards, community church lots, or the mountain itself.

“When cities across NJ and the nation are cancelling their shows due to the economy, the businesses and merchants of the Downtown Paterson SID are proud to sponsor this show in partnership with the City of Paterson,” said Sheri Ferreira, executive director of the Downtown Paterson Special Improvement District, Inc.

A raindate of Saturday, July 3rd is set.

For more information about the fireworks display call the SID at 973-881-7302. More information will be posted, such as additional sponsors, as the information becomes available.

The Paterson Rotary Club recently awarded $8,000 in scholarships to Paterson students. The William Hannah Memorial Scholarship is named on behalf of a former Rotarian and Paterson businessman saw the talent and potential of Paterson’s youth through his work with the Paterson Boys and Girls Club.

Each year, the Paterson Rotary Club and Ron Farrington, a former Paterson Rotarian, who administers the Fund, awards the academic scholarship to students who apply through the Paterson Boys and Girls Club with assistance from the Paterson Public School District’s Guidance Department.

This year, two $2,500 scholarships were awarded to repeat applicants who are attending four year Colleges. Habiba Umme is attending Montclair State University, and Honey Umme is attending Rutgers University.

Two Paterson High School Seniors received scholarships for their first collegiate years. Carolyn Andia, of John F. Kennedy High School was awarded a $2,000 scholarship. She will attend the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University in New Brunswick and intends to major in Aerospace Engineering.  Sheronda Scotland of Eastside High School was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. She will attend William Paterson University and intends to major in Secondary Education.

Contact the Paterson Rotary Club at 973-881-7300. www.patersonrotary.org

Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres announced on  May 6th, the development of  a new upscale hotel and parking structure to be constructed on the grounds of St. Joseph’s Medical Center, also under expansion. The first hotel in several decades to be built in the Paterson, and the only hotel in a five-mile radius, this project is a tribute to the success of Paterson’s urban redevelopment, and the committment of St. Joseph’s Medical Center to the City of Paterson.

The Hotel which is a partnership between Medical Missions for Children, St. Joseph’s and The City of Paterson willinclude 180 standard rooms and short-term stay apartments, a 30,000 square-foot conference and special events center, a restaurant, a health club, rooftop terrace and garden, retail space and more than 200 parking spaces within the structure. The hotel will be developed by Multi Media Concepts, a company under the MMC Worldwide umbrella, and operated by Hyatt Corporation.

In a separate, but adjacent project that is a component of St. Joseph’s Healthcare System’s master facilities investment plan, St. Joseph’s will build a new 1,120-space parking garage that will be located at the southwest end of the Paterson campus. This will complement the $170 million hospital expansion and renovation project at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center that began in 2008 and is scheduled for completion in 2012. The St. Joseph’s parking garage project will precede the construction of the Medical Missions for Children Hyatt Place Hotel at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center.

Participating stores in Downtown Paterson will be offering customers who spend a certain amount of money in their stores, the amenity of thier first hour FREE while they are parking in any Downtown Paterson garage or parking lot run by the Paterson Parking Authority.

This Spring Parking Validation Program officially begins this weekend, Saturday, April 10th.

Click HERE for more information.

Click HERE for a map of the lots and garages in Downtown Paterson

PATERSON — A 230-year-old letter written by George Washington at his headquarters near the Great Falls returned Monday – on his birthday — and will be displayed through mid-March at the Paterson Museum, just yards from where it was written.

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