About the BID

Mission Statement

The WSMMC is a Business Improvement District. Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are a type of assessment district in which business owners choose to be assessed a fee, which is collected on their behalf by the City of Cape May, for use in promoting and improving the business area. The WSMMC was formed in 2008 by passage of Cape May City Ordinance 165-2008.

The purposes of the WSMMC is as follows:

  • Serve the business community that encompasses the Washington Street Mall Business Improvement District (“District”).
  • Assist the City in promoting economic growth and employment within the District and will provide administrative and other services to benefit the businesses, employees, residents and consumers in the District.
  • Provide within the District seasonal decorations, flowers and other plantings.

Executive Board:

The BID or WSMMC is comprised of eleven individuals, nine of whom are elected to the board on staggering terms, one member of City Council and the City Manager, who serves as an adviser but is a non-voting member, and two alternates. The members are:

Joe Bogle, chair
Susan Tischler, vice-chair
Cindy Huf, secretary
Deirdre Hineline, treasurer
Terri Swain, City Council member
Bruce MacLeod, City Manager
Jerry Inderwies, citizen at large
Bonnie Mullock, business representative from outside the BID
Betsy Sole
Steve Smarro
Joanne Klineberger, alternate
Tom Alvarado, alternate

Contact Information:

info@washingtonstreetmall.com
Phone: Joe Bogle, care of The Original Fudge Kitchen, 609-884-2834

What is the Washington Street Mall Management Company, Inc.?

The WSMMC is comprised of 96 self-assessed businesses, mostly retail business owners, but some members are realtors and a few non-profits also comprise the membership. All members have businesses or offices within the three blocks (300-500) of the pedestrian concourse known as the Washington Street Mall. A BID provides a business area with the resources to develop marketing campaigns, increase awareness and lobbying efforts, secure additional funding and enhance public improvement and beautification projects in partnership with the City. An organized business community can work more effectively to create positive change and increase support for businesses in the area. In Cape May, BIDs work closely with elected officials and city staff to voice collective concerns, monitor business regulations and obtain funding and support for their business development projects.

Marketing Activities:

The BIDs have developed a variety of successful marketing activities that generate business for the districts. These activities range from special events such as concerts on the mall and holiday festivals to develop good public relations and marketing of the Washington Street Mall. BIDs use the Internet (WashingtonStreetMall.com), and coordinate cooperative advertising campaigns and develop and distribute district brochures. BIDs also market the districts to potential businesses in an effort to reduce vacancies, provide a good mix of businesses and strengthen the BID. All of these activities help to further market the district to customers.