The District Westfield

District Photo Contest Winners Announced!

lisa — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:13:55 +0000

The WBID and the Westfield Camera Club would like to thank all who submitted photos to our first “Faces and Places of Westfield Photo Contest”. The contest was a collaborative effort between the WBID and the Westfield Camera Club, and the Westfield Athenaeum.

A reception to announce the winners was held June 10th at the Athenaeum. Along with the judged photos, over 200 ballots were counted for the “People’s Choice” award… What a great response!

The photographs judged by Abe Reismen, past President of the NECCC, in the first Faces and Places of Westfield Photo Contest received the following awards:
$100 Winner
“Soft Contour” by Gerald Tracy

$25 Winner
“Stanley Park Duck Pond” by Richard M. Auclair
“Westfield Sunset” by Norman Boulanger

$100 People’s Choice Award Winner
“Fun in the Sun” by Shannon Curto

The following photographs received Honorable Mention:
“Curtain Call” by Michelle M. Moniz
“Faith” by Sandra Bongiovanni
“Autumn Colors” by Chip Colton
“Mama Bear” by Linda Burzdak
“Moon Man Emerging” Carl Hartdegan
“At Amelia Park” by Skip Demarais
“Church on the Green” by Kristin Halls
“Sunset at Home” by Jennifer Giffone
“The College Sky” by Miriam Matsuk
“Stanley Park in Autumn” by Richard M. Auclair
“Welcome” and “White Iris” and “Orange” by Barbara Chiampa
“Post 124″ By James Markvart

Gift certificates were awarded to the winners from the following WBID member bussinesses: Westfield Gas & Electric Co., The Tavern Restaurant, Main Street Hair Salon, The TeaPot Gallery, and Elm Street Mobile.

Featured Business of the Month

lisa — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:00:16 +0000

Erin’s Own Irish Imports 172 Elm Street 568-1707

One of the most unique stores one will encounter is located right here in downtown Westfield. Open since 1982, Erin’s Own Irish Imports has been bringing a taste of Ireland to Westfield. With all of the items in the store made in Ireland, Erin’s Own Irish Imports has a wide variety of items to suit everyone. From beautiful Irish jewelery, Belleek Fine China, handmade Irish sweaters, and Irish music, to Irish foods, soaps, and fragrances. Erin’s Own Irish Imports sets itself apart from the other businesses because of its unique products. If the wide variety of items in Erin’s Own Irish Imports isn’t enough, it has a comfortable atmosphere that always keeps it’s customers coming back for more. ” ‘Tis like shopping in Ireland itself!”

-Article written by: WHS intern: Cassandra Affeldt

The WBID Gets the Word Out!

lisa — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:25:41 +0000

Well let’s see, we have our logo which can be seen on the beautiful banners within the District. We have the web site which we are glad you are visiting right now! We encourage you to browse the Business Directory which lists all the businesses within WBID member properties and hope you will visit the section on Restaurants, Retail Shops and Attractions and don’t miss the list of District Events! Remember if you are a WBID property or business member we are happy to post any special events you may be hosting!

Just an FYI…this past holiday season we added to the lighting on the Park Square Green by putting LED lights on 14 of the little trees in the parking lot area…we have had a number of requests to keep those lit so after talking with the G & E we will be putting them back on until further notice! In an effort to spruce things up we decorated and filled the empty store fronts on Main & Elm Streets within the District with art work from local artists thus giving birth to the Windows of Westfield Project! By the number of emails and phone calls we received we knew that our radio campaign throughout the holidays had been heard! Those radio spots along with the ads in Business West continue to plant the seeds and promote Westfield as a “Vibrant…Up and Coming…Great Destination”…to open a business or just visit!

ALERT! We are presently using high school interns to contact all the property and business members within the WBID to obtain email addresses and the names of key contacts for each member property or business. You could really help us out by going to the “Contact Us” section of this website and emailing your info to www.lisa@thedistrictwestfield.com. We also encourage you to register on the WBID member Log-in section…this is a closed site (access is only given once you are identified/verified as a board member, or property and/or business owner within the District. It is our hope to develop clear lines of communication among our WBID members. Thank you in advance for your help!

Clean Team In the District!

lisa — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:18:43 +0000

Those who frequent the Downtown District have watched a cleaning transformation occur, the issue of trash is addressed on a regular basis, sidewalks are cleaned and gum removed, and in these winter months the WBID’s Clean Team can be spotted as they clear snow from the sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the District. They stay busy keeping fire hydrants and handicap ramps clear of snow and they worked with the DPW to prepare for the removal of the 3 ½ foot snow banks around the Green and down Main & Elm Streets.

This past fall the Clean Team was out removing graffiti from WBID member properties. Graffiti removal is just one of the services the WBID offers on an “as needed basis”.

With the hope for some sun and warm weather the Clean Team is making plans for their second annual District Spring Clean Up and flower planting. This year downtown visitors will be able to enjoy the new plants that were planted last fall around the fountain on the Green…they should be beautiful!

Keep an eye out for our Clean Team they are here to serve all our WBID members!

What Did the WBID Add to this Holiday Season?

lisa — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:27:28 +0000

What the WBID added to the holiday season was excitement…the focus was on building upon the wonderful holiday spirit that exists in our downtown community by…partnering with WOW to market over 40 Dickens Days Events, by adding additional holiday lighting to the Green, cleaning and decorating 13 empty store fronts in the downtown with art work from local artists both young and old…and by launching an exciting radio campaign about “the District Westfield” as a great destination! It was a great start!

How is Success Measured…

lisa — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 07:07:29 +0000

Do we measure success…by the number of visitors at the downtown restaurants, the wonderful turnout at so many of the WOW events, or by the several emails from people in our community and others regarding our web site, the cleanliness of the downtown and the upbeat positive approach to marketing Westfield? As one Westfield resident wrote “Thank you for the wonderful radio piece about Westfield, I work in Springfield and every time I hear that radio spot, I feel a sense of pride!”

Do we measure success by the enthusiastic comments people have made regarding the art work and decorations in the otherwise empty storefronts, or by the positive reactions to the signs that read “This building isn’t empty…it’s full of opportunity!

The fact that we had to remove the art work from one of the buildings on Elm Street to make way for our newest business “Drennen Financial Services” felt like success!

Maybe it comes down to measuring success by the sheer number of people who have come forward and offered to volunteer their time and talent to the WBID because they believe in Westfield! Volunteers have helped with our Annual Meeting, Farmers’ Market planning, Windows of Westield Project, loaning art work, or offering urban planning expertise…and as one local man stated, “I’ll do whatever is needed…I am just interested in seeing downtown come alive!”

Success like change takes time and we are willing to take those steps one day at a time! Thank you for the out pouring of support thus far! Together we can make a difference.

Please remember to support our downtown businesses, they are committed to making Westfield a better place!