To Our GBBA Community,

This time of year is always exciting. We look forward to a new year with anticipation for the future, wondering what new experiences it will bring. Well, this year brings with it many new changes for the GBBA, and we wanted to take a moment to let you know about them.

After many discussions with members, businesses, and local organizations, the GBBA Board has decided to merge into the Blairstown Enhancement Committee (BEC). The BEC is a group of volunteers who are committed to making the Blairstown area a better place to live, visit and do business. They work in collaboration with its residents, business owners, township, schools and other stakeholders, to create a thriving economy, while preserving the character and charm of the area.

By becoming a part of the BEC we will have the opportunity to work together on common goals. Through the BEC, we can drive initiatives that will enhance our business community and develop new ways for local entrepreneurs to succeed. We will also be able to move away from a membership- and dues-driven model, which we hope will foster greater inclusion and representation of the Blairstown business community.

As part of this transition, we encourage everyone to get involved, represent local businesses, and share their ideas with the BEC. The next meeting is on Monday, December 16 at 7 pm at 3 Water Street in Blairstown. You can learn more about the BEC and their – now our – important work at https://blairstownbec.com/.

For now, this Facebook page and the GBBA website will continue to be maintained in service to our community. We'll update everyone with more information in the new year.

As a Board we have enjoyed working with all of you and serving our community. We are very excited about all the new prospects this merger will bring and look forward to a bright future for business in Blairstown.

Sincerely,
​
The GBBA Board
• Chair, Sandra Roberts
• 1st VP, Dave Tillisch
• 2nd VP, Ravi Romano
• Treasurer, Keith VanDerzee
• Secretary, Karin White

The annual Menorah lighting will take place on Monday December 23rd at 6:30 PM just outside Gourmet Gallery.on Main Street in Blairstown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2019

BLAIRSTOWN, NJ — Once again Blairstown will celebrate the holiday season with its free annual “Jingle on Main” event scheduled for Saturday, November 30, on Historic Main Street in Blairstown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and caroling taking place immediately after. The celebration, sponsored by the Greater Blairstown Business Association (GBBA), will feature over 80 crafters, vendors, businesses and organizations as well as live music and free children’s activities.

Many unique items will be available. Handcrafted soaps and body products, crocheted and knitted items, beautiful jewelry, crafted home décor, original art and photography, handmade holiday decorations, and other treasures will all be available. Vendors will include LuLaRoe, Young Living, Paparazzi, Mary Kay, Origami Owl, Touchstone Crystals, Scentsy, Thirty-One, Lilla Rose, and more. Many of the shops along the street will be open to welcome families with holiday cheer and special surprises.

Children will enjoy free crafts offered by Kaleidoscope Enrichment. YMCA Camp Mason is offering a campfire and s’mores. Visit Re/Max's annual Winter Wonderland display at 8 Main Street to meet your favorite Christmas characters. Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary will be at Jingle with animals to meet. Plus, there will be face painting and more!

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of delicious food. Food trucks will offer German and Greek favorites, while sweet treats can be purchased from local specialty vendors. Local restaurants like Gourmet Gallery, The Post Time Pub and the Blairstown Inn will offer specials through out the day.

The event also features fantastic live music throughout the day. Local favorites like Water Street, Mike Lawlor, Queen Bee and the Hive, Mari Byrd, Deb D’Anne, and Craig Evans.

Public parking is available for a $5 donation to the NWR Marching Band. Parking is available next to the Blairstown Fire Department at 5 Stillwater Road, Blairstown. Further information and directions are available at http://www.shopgbba.org/jingle-on-main-2019.html.

The Greater Blairstown Business Association’s mission is to encourage and support existing businesses in the Northern Warren County, New Jersey area, promote the development of new enterprises and foster high business and civic standards in the community

​ 
The Greater Blairstown Business Association
Unity in Business & Community 
www.shopGBBA.org 

10/23/2019 GBBA General Meeting Agenda

Networking from 6:30 to 6:45 pm

Opening Remarks at 6:45 pm:

• Thank you to all for attending and to Gallery 23 for hosting.
• Self­-introduction of members and guests -- Tell us your name, your business (if you have one) and what you love most about your business.

Formal Business at approximately 7:00 pm:

• Board Reports/Board Meeting Summary
• Board Elections
  • 2020 Openings for Chair, 1st Vice President (Membership), Treasurer, Events Chair, Publicity Chair. Please see the letter sent to all members.
    • Chair coordinates the organization’s activities.
    • 1st Vice President is our membership coordinator.
    • 2nd Vice President oversees board development.
    • Treasurer handles the money.
    • Secretary takes minutes and notes.
    • Events Chair coordinates special events such as Jingle on Main.
    • Publicity Chair promotes the GBBA through various media outlets and other means.
• Jingle on Main
  • Event update
  • Volunteers needed
• New Business (as needed)

Public Participation at approximately 7:45 pm:

• Please sign up to present your activities, news, events, etc. Please, no direct solicitation. Everyone will be given 3 to ­5 minutes to share.

Closing Remarks at approximately 8:00 pm:

• Thank you all for attending.

CLICK TO VOLUNTEER for Jingle on Main on November 30! 
Click here --> https://forms.gle/9Dyn6ThLsN2qfmcq8
We need volunteers to help organize vendors, book music, coordinate publicity, help out the day of the event and more. However you can help, we'd love your support. Help make Jingle on Main an amazing day!
#JingleOnMain #shoplocal #smallbusiness #shopsmall

​The Greater Blairstown Business Association
Unity in Business & Community
www.shopGBBA.org

6/19/2019 GBBA General Meeting Agenda

Networking from 6:30 to 6:45 pm

Opening Remarks at 6:45 pm:

• Thank you to all for attending and to RE/Max Ridge for hosting.
• Self­-introduction of members and guests -- Tell us your name, your business (if you have one) and what you love most about your business.

Formal Business at approximately 7:00 pm:

• Board Reports/Board Meeting Summary
  • Upcoming meetings
    • June 29 at 8:30 am -- Mission Chiropractic
    • July 17 -- Blairstown Ambulance Corps, 108 NJ-94, Blairstown
  • Notable local events
    • JUNE 26 -- BLAIRSTOWN TOWNSHIP MEETING, PUBLIC HEARING ON BLAIRSTOWN BUDGET
    • July 4 -- Blairstown Fourth of July Celebration
    • July 27 -- 3rd Annual Firefighters Skills Competition
    • August 11 -- Historic Blairstown Day
    • First Saturday of the month, June-October -- GBBA Days at the Blairstown Farmers Market
  • Review of changes to upcoming meeting cycle to better meet member needs
    • Continuing quarterly Saturday meetings
    • Formal Meet & Greets networking meetings will become bi-monthly, occurring every other month in October, December, etc.
    • Events to provide community contact and vending for members will be featured every other month. In September we are working to have  GBBA area at the town-wide garage sale. In November we have Jingle on Main.
    • How else can we better serve our business community?
• Scholarship Report -- Congratulations to 2019 grant awardees Zachary Simpson and Evan Szkarlativk!
• Board Openings
  • Publicity Committee Chair, Events Committee Chair.
• Old Business
  • Issues presently facing the community
    • Route 80 Fencing
    • Route 519 Warehouses
    • Roads in Blairstown
    • Cuts of school budgets
    • Getting information out to the community effectively
  • Previous ideas
    • GBBA Discount Card
• New Business (as needed)

Tonight’s Speaker at approximately 7:30 pm

• Our topic for June will be "Think Big, Shop Small." Our Chair, Sandy Roberts, will give a short presentation about all the ways that supporting local business helps to support the local economy, the community, and all those that live there.

Public Participation at approximately 7:45 pm:

• Please sign up to present your activities, news, events, etc. Please, no direct solicitation. Everyone will be given 3 to ­5 minutes to share.

Closing Remarks at approximately 8:00 pm:

• Thank you all for attending.