Announcer: Funding for NJ Biz Beat provided by NJMEP, a partner to New Jersey's manufacturing industry focus on productivity, performance, and strategic development.

More on NJMEP.org.

♪ This is NJ Business Beat with Raven Santana.

Raven: I am Raven Santana and thank you for joining me.

Newark small businesses are propelling the city to new heights and returning the favor with a new investment.

At the end of 2028 3 -- at the end of 2023, Newark announced an initiative to help companies relocate downtown and build businesses to support the business sector.

We are highlighting Newark's economic vision as it seeks to expand its already unique business climate with a group of small community-based businesses.

I spoke with leaders from Newark's business, arts and culture communities, including a one-on-one interview with Mayor Ras Baraka, where we discuss everything from the businesses he would like to move to Newark and whether he will make a run for governor.

I remember a time when not everybody wanted to come to Newark.

It was kind of scary.

They got a bad rap.

There's a vacant restaurant across the street.

Prudential is pulling in.

Major artists.

There is development all over the city.

As someone who has lived here, taught here, you know have been Mayor since 2014, what are you most proud of when it comes to the business sector here in Newark?

Mayor Baraka: We usually kind of define by headlines and other issues and incidents that happened in the city for 20 years.

But now people are engaging the city in different years, coming to conferences, shows, participating in ice-skating rink's downtown and going to restaurants and hearing different kinds of headlines about what is happening in the city around the country, so it makes people pause a little bit and think about what's happening in that little town on the other side of the Hudson, so we are making our way here and I'm proud of the change in the narrative.

Raven: Audible is part of that progress.

It is offering 250 thousand dollars for companies to relocate here to the city.

So tell me about that progress and what companies you would like to see come here.

Mayor Baraka: Audible has been working in lockstep with us for some time.

During the higher by lift program, we asked companies to hire Newark residents and purchase goods locally, Audible started giving stipends to their workers to buy food at lunch in Newark.

During the pandemic, they participated to pay restaurants to feed people who needed it.

As we are working after the pandemic to close some of these gaps in retail that exist because businesses have left because of that, Audible steps up to the plate and, obviously, it also benefits them to put businesses in and around the area they are, but it also has a multiplying effect because we are extending network now to the southern end of Broad Street as well.

Raven: Let's talk about affordable housing because that's part of changing that perspective.

Most is the new development has to include affordable housing.

How has it helped with this whole vision?

Mayor Baraka: Affordability is important.

It's a national issue.

It's a statewide issue.

The lack of affordable housing, access to housing period, is a difficult issue, particularly in surrounding communities that have zoning ordinances that don't allow people to come into their communities, making cities like Newark more dense, more densely populated, so more people come into our city, which means we need a variety and diversity of housing.

Raven: Do you feel that there is something for everyone here, even younger professionals who maybe want a tear higher when it comes to housing?

That also impacts business here.

Mayor Baraka: I think it is and we are working on expanding the and I think there's a group of people, like workforce housing, people we just talked about, people who just came home from college trying to get jobs and people who start out need affordability and good jobs.

We are working on creating a tech hub in the city, which is taking off and bringing jobs of that caliber to the city in making the corporations -- the city and making corporations look at Newark residents as academics, professionals, people that graduate from college, as degree holders who can take these jobs.

And it didn't building the housing where these folks can live.

Something I think people in the state don't think about when they oppose affordability, you know, they have this prejudicial idea of what affordable housing is and who it is for.

They are not thinking of their own children who are living in their basement or still in that room because they came home from college and cannot find a place to live.

Raven: It's interesting because it is not just development.

It's arts and culture.

Let's talk about the Newark Symphony.

Because that renovation is set to be completed soon.

And talk about how that's going to impact business here in Newark.

Mayor Baraka: That's a part of us trying to develop the southern end of Broad Street.

If you go to the northern end, the museum, the library, here it to -- library, Harriet Tubman square.

We got funding to redo Linkin Park.

The remodeling of Symphony Hall and the developments happening there will try to arrivals stuff happening on the northern end of Broad Street to begin to make that happen down here, which begins to attract more people to live in that community, more businesses to open up.

It improves the neighborhood, the life of people there, but also does well for the economy and the city at the same time.

Raven: You have been a champion of making sure that Black and brown businesses are part of this new development.

Tell me about the status of that and for those watching why they should set up shop here.

Mayor Baraka: We probably have more Black and brown businesses downtown per capita in Newark than any other city in New Jersey.

People are not doing the date on that and they should.

I would challenge any city to compare themselves to the amount of people of color who have businesses in their downtown corridors.

We have two major businesses that are coming from New York City, two huge restaurants, Harlem based restaurants that are coming here to Newark to be part of the ecosystem that we are creating.

Raven: I have to be honest.

This all sounds great but where are people going to park?

Because it took 20 minutes for me to find parking.

Where are people going to park?

You have a parking spot.

I have to pay for parking.

Mayor Baraka: I just left a community meeting last night and people were complaining about the same thing.

Zoning ordinances are changing to allow people to have businesses in their home.

People are afraid they will not find a place to park on their block.

Raven: I mean -- Mayor Baraka: Aside from effective us trying to help people to get additional income, because it's difficult.

More than 50% of the people in Newark don't even own a car, so it's mind-boggling to me, I'm trying to figure out where the cards are coming from.

Raven: I am wondering, when we are speaking about ventures, is this the last we are going to hear from you or will you run for governor?

Mayor Baraka: I guess that is the talk of the entire state at this point.

You know, right now I'm the mayor of Newark and I'm happy with being the mayor of Newark.

You know.

It does not mean I am not thinking about it or it's not in my mind or it is not possible.

That is for sure.

But, you know, I'm not, like, this overly ambitious guy that is like I have to be the governor or I will explode.

I am doing a job that I'm completely content with doing.

Raven: I will say, mayor, that you have accomplished a lot of things that people at one time had said that you could not do and in Newark has become a place to live, to work and play, and let's see what else comes out of all this new development.

I guess we will have to wait and see.

Mayor Baraka: Thank you.

Raven: Thank you for this.

I appreciate it.

Newark's ironbound neighborhood is rich with history.

It is known for its Portuguese and Spanish businesses, especially its world-class restaurants, but the ironbound is still growing and welcoming new traditions while supporting the legacy of its community, making it an ideal place to live, work and play.

I sat down with the Executive Director of the ironbound business improvement District to learn more about how the community balances tradition and new development.

So we are at the café here in the ironbound, one of the most famous areas in Newark, and I have to say it's been bustling since 9 a.m. this morning.

I have seen firefighters, a councilmember, teenagers, women.

It is such a melting pot.

Is that what The Ironbound is?

Vince: This community has been an immigrant starting point in this country and state for hundreds of years.

Waves of immigrants from all over Europe, Central and South America, all welcomed here to get a start and build their dreams.

And I think that kind of atmosphere makes it feel welcoming to everybody.

Those who came before me were welcomed with open arms.

I'm coming now and I'm still being welcomed.

Raven: I think that people automatically think Portuguese but there are so many other influences.

There's Brazilian, Spanish.

We are sitting in an Albanian owned restaurant.

Vince: You have to understand the Portuguese diaspora as well.

Many people here are Portuguese speaking but they may be from Mozambique, from Angola, so there's a lot of diversity within the Portuguese speaking world itself, but you are right.

A lot of the property and businesses are still Portuguese-owned but this is a very diverse neighborhood.

More Ecuadorians live in the city of Newark in the ironbound than almost any other place.

We have people from all countries, your glands, Argentinians, Hondurans,, Guatemalans, and they have all melded into what happens here, a community that has a lot of different faces, a lot of different voices, a lot of different sounds.

Raven: Less talk about development because their investment has been -- because there investment has been everything.

Tell me about what that has created here not just for the community but for business.

Vince: There's tremendous investment in the city of Newark in general but the location of the Ironbound, located at the gateway to Newark and Penn Station, minutes from Newark International Airport, the major highway networks, that transportation nexus is a valuable, valuable thing for businesses, for residents, and we have seen developers come in from other players, from New York City, for example, looking for opportunity here.

And I think we are seeing the benefits of that.

You have a lot of different people represented, different price points, if you will, in terms of what is available in the housing market, from very upscale units to more affordable things, and affordable housing is one of the primary goals of our mayor, Ras Baraka, so we are trying to strike a balance where this is a place for everyone.

Raven: Tell me a little bit about more about what that affordable housing really means and then why is there some pushback?

Vince: The designation of a development zone near the train station, the transit hub, to me makes sense because that is where people are trying to move between their jobs, homes and the recreational aspects here.

I would say the city of Newark has a population of roughly 300,000.

This city could easily welcomed thousands of more residents and businesses.

The mayor and his administration are working in that way to incentivize doing.

There will be concern over some pieces of property and locations.

As realtors always say, location, location, location.

And will some people find a place exactly where they want to be at their price point?

Maybe not, but there is a place for them in the city of Newark.

V.A.

Ford is the larges -- the eighth Ward is the largest in the city but there's lots here to family homes and apartments to upscale units.

Raven: Tell me about the two major projects going on here in the Ironbound.

Not just affordable housing.

Vince: Many people who have some knowledge of the Ironbound are familiar with a restaurant called Iberia.

Iconic for our neighborhood, it's been around for decades.

That property was recently sold.

There will be redeveloped.

They will have thousands of units of residential housing.

It will have retail.

It will have restaurants.

They are committed to designing a courtyard like you would find in Europe or South America to be an inviting place for people together.

It's a transformative project.

There's another, 55 Union, two blocks from Penn Station, some of the most amazing views of the New York City skyline you will ever see, as well as the Newark skyline.

High end amenities.

It's designed to entice people looking for a certain living experience and that is here at the same time -- that is here.

At the same time, throughout the neighborhood, you are seeing development of smaller pieces of property.

What may have been a two family home being developed into a four unit building.

The brownstones of Jersey City, for example.

This was a poorer neighborhood so the housing stock was -- needed to be upgraded and revitalized to meet current needs, demands and what people expect from their housing, and that's happening.

Raven: Newark is a great place to be.

Thank you for joining me.

Vince: Great to have you.

Raven: One Ironbound business that has thrived for years is a jeweler thanks to a customer base that has grown through generations.

I visited and learned about the family-owned businesses, including some of the rear pieces that are imported and only sold here.

Victor is the owner and he says he loves owning a business in the ironbound because of the diverse group of people who live and work in the neighborhood.

Victor showed off one of the rear pieces in his store and explain how they have managed to keep customers' business.

Raven: Tell me what I am wearing and why your jewelry store is so special.

Victor: The piece you are wearing is handcrafted.

It's called filigree.

It's imported from Portugal, handmade.

There are very few countries in the world that can manufacture filigree and it's like a work of art.

Each piece is unique and different.

Our main goal is to over service our customers.

To connect with our customers and build a relationship with them.

We have customers that are second and third generation and its a lot of referrals so that is where we thrive.

Raven: Newark is also home to a growing arts, culture and entertainment scene.

At the epicenter of it may be the Newark Museum of Art.

It is the state's largest museum and is home to stunning art collections from around the world.

Now it is investing back into Newark with a housing and retail project in its own backyard.

I spoke to Linda Harrison, the museum director, about the new project and how the museum is transforming the city's arts industry.

Linda, we actually have met.

I was here I think when you first started for the young venture capitalists, and that was a huge event.

Right, right.

And when I think back to them, I think about just the evolution of the cultural and economic impact of the museum.

Tell me about that.

Raven: That -- Linda: That was a dynamic day, a full day of new energy with entrepreneurs and start up businesses, and part of my vision was to have us really be engaged much more in the community.

That was one of those events with the museum really being a part of the community, not just sitting in the community, and so this idea of economic impact, social impact and cultural impact can actually coexist within an anchor institution that is a museum.

Raven: You really are trying to immerse yourself in Newark.

And so what have you seen since then and how do you really provide that reach?

Linda: People have an idea of what the museum is and part of my wanting them to see that the museum is a vibrant, relevant place -- this is why we changed the name to the Newark Museum of Art.

This is why we said we are going to be an engaged anchor institution.

And you tend to think of the museum as it was in the 20th century, which I was in the 20th century, and here in the 21st century.

You got dressed up and came to the museum.

We want that live interaction and want you to pause and be part of it.

We want to hear what the community wants and how we can really be of value to the community.

And part of that was we need to also be cognizant that we are part of a transformational city and this is one of the reasons why I came here.

The mayor, Mayor Baraka is transforming the city.

I was reading about that and you couple that with this is one of the coveted museums in the country.

Scholars know about us.

My colleagues at other museums know about us.

They borrow from our extensive collections but the everyday person working -- person walking around Newark did not.

What would happen if this city, this area, this downtown, we contributing to the building of housing.

Raven: Let's talk about that.

How much are we looking at and how is that going to work?

Linda: The good news is we are not displacing anyone to build this housing.

This is one of the things I talked with the mayor about, that we want to have you live, work and play in this hub, but we don't want to be the only hope.

We want you to be able to walk from here, walk over elsewhere, log down to Symphony Hall.

We want to send the message that this is a safe place to live, it's a safe place to walk, and along the way, you are going to have all these, I will say, cultural events.

Not only are you living here and you feel good about living here and it's safe to live here.

This helps drive the economic engine of the city and of the museum, but you also feel that you don't have to leave now, the city, to experience this sense of culture.

Raven: Linda, thank you so much.

I appreciate it.

You are inspiring to so many people.

Fashion also plays a major role in New Jersey's most populated city and you can see it on display when windowshopping down Halsey Street.

One of the city's most well-known fashion designers is Marco Hall, who has designed amazing outfits for stars like Gabriel -- like Gabrielle Union and Rihanna, despite his success he says he gains inspiration through his work through the city of Newark still.

I spoke to him about the fashion scene and how the city inspires him.

Tell me about your collection, your inspiration.

Marco: When I'm designing, the fabric tells the story.

I like to lay fabric on the floor and look at it from the top.

It can tell me where I am going.

Raven: Tell me about the inspiration and Newark.

Marco: I love the city.

It gave me room to grow as a designer.

It helped me hone my skill going to shows around here.

I love how people put things on.

I'm trying to figure out what makes that.

And if it touches me, I come back and find out how I can make it work.

Raven: Your shop, as I'm looking around, you have beautiful pieces.

Tell me a little bit about what it's like to own a shop here.

What is it like to be a business owner, especially in the fashion industry?

Marco: Being a business owner here is really -- it is challenging because, you know, I find that, you know, the locals are here and they are not going away.

They love it the way it is.

So bringing new stuff here, just advertising, pouring yourself into making the world, and see us.

Staying true and staying hard-core and buckle down and making sure that you have a great product, you have great business sense.

In your community.

For me, it's all about community and I love being here on Harley Street.

We all help each other and foster each other.

That's been a blessing here.

Raven: You pointed out that you hone your skills here in Newark.

I feel like you are creating a pathway for other young men and women who may aspire to be at your level.

You are bringing in celebrities here.

You know, you are showing that you can do something different.

Do you feel that this is only the beginning?

Marco: Definitely.

Every day is a learning curve and a teaching moment.

Every day is a new day to challenge itself and where you are going and I love the fact that I have young kids coming around every other day, knocking on doors, asking questions.

The kids at Brown Mill I mentored.

It's nice to see them here doing their thing on this block as well.

Raven: Do you feel that you expect to see more inspiration here in Newark?

Maybe there will be bigger fashion shows here in Newark.

Marco: I think Newark should definitely really partner with Prudential or Audible like Mercedes-Benz fashion week and come and find a real committee and say let's do this the right way and put on a real fashion week and do it like that and make something magical happened.

People have been trying to do it.

Raven: OK. Marco: I think they have not built the right team yet.

Raven: If you want high fashion and luxury, because this is quite the experience, you come right here.

Marco, thank you so much for joining me.

This was wonderful.

Thank you for allowing me to wear this.

That does it for us this week.

Subscribe to our NJ Spotlight news YouTube channel to get alerted when we post new episodes and clips.

I'm Raven Santana.

Thank you for watching and we will see you next weekend.

Announcer: support for "NJ Biz Beat with Raven Santana" provided by NJMEP, a partner to New Jersey's manufacturing industry focus on productivity, performance, and strategic development.

More on NJMEP.org.

♪