DNJ Newsletter Holiday Edition: Spotlight on Lambertville & More from Downtown New Jersey

The Center of it All | Holiday 2025 | DowntownNJ.com

Dear Friends of Downtown New Jersey,

As we close out the year and welcome what’s ahead, we’re taking a moment to celebrate an energizing and impactful year for Downtown New Jersey and our statewide community.

In 2025, we reinvigorated our programming with fresh ideas, expanded opportunities for collaboration, and renewed momentum across the state.

From a highly successful annual conference to the launch of our County Roundtable series, we brought together professionals, partners, and practitioners committed to strengthening New Jersey’s downtowns and commercial corridors. These milestones reflect the power of shared learning, meaningful dialogue, and collective action.

Looking ahead to 2026, our focus is firmly on building upon that momentum. In the year to come, Downtown New Jersey will launch Municipal Consultations to provide more customized, hands-on support to communities. We will continue to advocate for policies and legislation that help our downtowns thrive and adapt, while expanding our slate of workshops, forums, and events to ensure professionals in this space remain informed, connected, and prepared for what’s next.

This final edition of the year brings together many of the themes that define our work — collaboration, innovation, advocacy, and forward thinking. Below, you’ll find a great selection of articles highlighting emerging trends, timely policy updates, and practical insights to help guide your work in the months ahead.

Thank you for being part of the Downtown New Jersey community. As we ring in the new year, we’re excited to continue this work with you — and to build an even stronger 2026 together.

Warm regards,

Natalie Pineiro

Executive Director, Downtown New Jersey

Member Spotlight: Lambertville, A Town Where History, Heart & Holiday Spirit Meet

Lambertville is a place where history can be found around every corner and yet each season ushers in new energy, community, and celebrations. Nestled on the banks of the Delaware River, it bridges old-world charm with vibrant modern life. MORE>

Street-Level Magic in Action: DNJ’s 2025 Conference Highlights the Power of Experiential Downtowns

DNJ’s 2025 Annual Conference, Street-Level Magic, convened hundreds of downtown leaders, municipal officials, planners, economic development professionals, and partners from across the state. Check out our recap! MORE>

Downtown Do’s and Don’ts for the Nation's 250th Anniversary

More Revolutionary War battles were fought in New Jersey than in any other state, making the 250th anniversary of the nation in 2026 an enormous heritage tourism opportunity for New Jersey’s downtown districts.Next year, every municipality is going to want to do something special to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation. MORE>

Just Say NO and Skip the Stuff!

Takeout orders commonly include plastic utensils, condiment packets and napkins that often go unused, thrown away or end up as litter. The statistics are grim. Americans dispose of about 40 billion single-use plastic utensils each year.

To tackle these alarming figures, NJCCC is spearheading a statewide outreach effort aimed at changing behaviors. MORE>

Preparing Downtowns for a Once-in-a-Generation Moment: FIFA World Cup 2026™

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is coming to the New York–New Jersey region, with MetLife Stadium hosting multiple matches—including the Final. This global event will bring millions of visitors to our region, generating unprecedented foot traffic, media exposure, and economic activity across the state. MORE>

POLICY WATCH: NJ Bill S4834: E-Bikes Reclassified — What It Means for Downtowns

Electric bicycles — a staple of urban mobility around New Jersey’s downtowns — could soon be treated more like motor vehicles under a bill moving through the State Legislature. Senate Bill S4834, sponsored by Senate President Nicholas Scutari, would fundamentally change how e-bikes are regulated across the state. MORE>

New Forums Workshops and Events Coming Soon!

Our upcoming programming will continue to focus on timely issues, practical tools, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities for downtown managers, municipal leaders, small businesses, and revitalization partners.

Executive Director –Ridgewood (NJ) Business Alliance (CLICK FOR DETAILS)

Downtown New Jersey is an organization of individuals, businesses, government agencies, and local and regional organizations that are passionate about downtowns. Downtowns reflect our communities’ unique identities, provide a focal point, a convenient local place of commerce, and offer a sense of place where people can gather and truly be community. Downtown New Jersey is a resource dedicated to ensuring the vitality of our downtowns. Count on us as your resource for anything regarding downtowns in New Jersey.