By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
For those looking for a place to eat on a Saturday night, or any day of the week, the township’s only request is that residents “Dine Hillsborough First.”
The township has introduced a new section to the Economic Business Development Commission’s (EBDC) Web site, called “Dine Hillsborough First,” which advertises all restaurants in town, and breaks them up by category for easy viewing.
”Restaurants can register to list their businesses on the EBDC’s Web site,” said Business Advocate Gene Strupinsky.
According to Mr. Strupinsky, the section has its own link on the EBDC Web site, which has a listing by dining category, including American, Italian, Oriental, delicatessens and Mexican cuisine, among others. Clicking on an individual category brings up another page with a listing of all restaurants that fit in that category, he said.
”By then clicking on the individual restaurants, you will see their contact information, including addresses, phone numbers and a profile of the restaurant,” he said. “For those restaurants that haven’t already done so, we are encouraging them to put their menus in their profiles.”
In addition, Mr. Strupinsky said, he is encouraging restaurants to place promotions and coupons on the site as well.
The program began this week, Mr. Strupinsky said, but he has already heard some positive feedback, and is expecting to hear more comments beginning next week after residents receive the next edition of the mayor’s e-newsletter, which will advertise the program to the more than 4,000 residences in town that receive it.
”Culinary Creations (already) contacted me to compliment us for this new section, and they will be putting the menu on the site,” he said.
At this point, there are about 57 restaurants included in the section, and many are listed in multiple categories.
Mr. Strupinsky said he got the idea for “Dine Hillsborough First” from Township Clerk Kevin Davis, who made the suggestion in October.
Mr. Davis said he had seen the advertising done for Hillsborough businesses in a small section called “Shop Hillsborough First,” which was published in the Hillsborough Beacon in June, and thought it could work for restaurants as well.
”I thought ‘Shop Hillsborough First’ was a neat slogan,” he said. “The slogan is very clear. I said we should do something about eating in Hillsborough first.”
Mr. Strupinsky said the main goal is to bring more business for local restaurants.
”(We want) to help local restaurants by encouraging Hillsborough residents to patronize them more frequently,” he said.
To register to be included in the listings, or to find a restaurant, visit the EBDC Web site at hillsboroughbusiness.org.
