Dewey Business Partnership plans 2012 events
A new group in Dewey Beach aims to enhance the quality of life in town. Dewey Business Partnership is composed of 30 local restaurants, hotels and retail shops aimed at marketing events and supporting town beautification efforts.
At a Nov. 12 town council meeting, Dewey Business Partnership President Steve Montgomery mapped out the goals of the organization for town council. “We wanted to put together a group of businesses to do positive things for the community,” said Montgomery, owner of The Starboard.
The partnership, which includes Vice President Jim Baeurle, partner of Dewey Beach Enterprises, and Secretary/Treasurer Rob Marshall, owner of Atlantic Oceanside Motel, began hosting events last summer.
To kick off the 2011 season, DBP threw a June 22 kids beach party, which Montgomery said drew more than 200 kids for music, marshmallow roasting and face painting.
The group hosted a party Sept. 17 on the beach, which celebrated the end of the summer season and the town’s 30th anniversary. The party featured live music, dancing and food and drinks from local restaurants. Montgomery said about 250 people attended, despite rain and wind.
DBP also took steps to improve the image of the town. Montgomery said the group hosted litter pickup five days a week, and it paid for 10 street sweepings during the summer.
In 2012, the partnership plans to bring back last year’s events and develop more. Montgomery said the group decided to hire year-round resident Kelly Ranieri as executive director to keep DBP active during the summer when business owners are busy. “The best thing we did for this group was to hire Kelly,” Montgomery said. “Anybody who knows Kelly knows she’s the cheerleader for Dewey Beach.”
Ranieri told council she is organizing an Arts Fest with Mitch King, co-owner of Port, scheduled for Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13.
Montgomery and Ranieri are former members of the town’s marketing committee. Ranieri organized a townwide yard sale, called Treasure Fest, which was executed by the marketing committee last year. Next year, the business partnership will sponsor the event scheduled for Saturday, April 28.
Montgomery said Harry Wilson, who sits on the board of directors for DBP and is owner of The Surfrider Condominiums, plans to sponsor a New Year’s Eve ball drop on the beach at Bellevue Street.
The partnership also plans to begin a yearly Dewey Dunk on New Year’s Day, similar to Lewes’ annual Polar Bear Plunge. Because of beach replenishment, which began Nov. 15 on Dagsworthy Avenue, the group said it plans to hold off on the event until 2013.
The partnership works in conjunction with Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Carol Everhart, in a separate presentation, said DBP has relieved some of the burden on the chamber’s staff of five to organize and market events. “To have something like the Dewey Business Partnership is a godsend for us,” she said.
Montgomery said he began working with Everhart and Steve Huse of Dewey Beach Civic League about six years ago to promote family-friendly events in town. At the time, the town had no marketing committee. “We put the money up to start two new programs for the town, Monday movies on the beach, and Wednesday night bonfires on the beach,” Montgomery said in an email.
The town then formed its own marketing committee, and Montgomery said his work with the chamber of commerce progressed. Earlier this year, Montgomery said he, Baeurle, Marshall and Jimmy O’Conor, owner of Woody’s, formed the partnership.
“We wanted to unite as many of our businesses here in Dewey, do things to help promote this town, educate our visitors, and give back to the property owners by hosting events for all to enjoy,” he said. “Hence the Dewey Business Partnership.”
Montgomery told council he has received tons of positive feedback about the partnership’s efforts to improve the town. “It’s been neat to see the public so excited about all these projects,” he said.
Montgomery said, “This is a great step in the right direction to get the business community to give back and do positive things.”
