'Golden Brooms' to Be Given to Borough's Best-Kept Businesses

Editor's Note: The following press release was provided by Hellertown Borough Business Revitalization Program coordinator Mary Himmelberger.

Select downtown Hellertown businesses will now receive acknowledgement for their efforts in keeping their storefronts and property facades clean and attractive.

The Hellertown Borough Business Revitalization Program (HBBRP) committee will present their first “Golden Broom” award on Black Friday, Nov. 29, to a local business owner who demonstrates pride in keeping a well-maintained and welcoming façade and store entrance.

The “Golden Broom” award will be granted quarterly to downtown business owners who maintain attractive, neat and clean storefronts and sidewalks. The recognized businesses will clearly demonstrate an “extra effort” to contribute to a beautified streetscape. 

The quarterly golden broom and certificate are intended to recognize an exemplary business investment to the street image as a whole, for providing an inviting and appealing face of the community—a high standard to neighboring businesses.

The idea originated while HBBRP committee volunteers were planting the seasonal mums in the downtown Main Street planters, and were conversing about how some businesses noticeably take that extra effort to beautify and enhance their appearance to passersby—to demonstrate an obvious pride in their business image.

The HBBRP coordinator recalled the “Golden Broom” award seeing success in small town Hamburg, Pa., down the road Further research finds value in this award from the far reaches of Savannah, Ga., to Bloomington, Ill. and Upham, Mass. Why not Hellertown? 

The committee will choose the first business to receive this award at their November meeting. They intend to present the broom to the winner prior to Hellertown’s Light Up Night on Nov. 29, and highlight the award and winner at the community event at Borough Hall that evening to kick off the program.

The Hellertown Borough Business Revitalization Program was established in 2005 as part of a regional Main Street program under the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber Foundation, with support from Northampton County.

Photo: Main Street in downtown Hellertown (Patch file photo)