Three Bordentown City businesses received Green Business Recognition awards for their “green” efforts.
The Bordentown City Green Team presented the awards to Artful Deposit Inc., Hoop House Bakery & Café, Bombadil Plant Shop at the City Commission meeting at Carslake Community Center on Aug. 8.
The businesses join a growing number of other city businesses who have been recognized for their green accomplishments including Bordentown Home for Funerals, The Heart of Bordentown (The Hob), Mimosa Goods and Rivertown Laundromat, according to members of the Green Team.
A certificate and window sticker are presented to businesses in Bordentown City that are voluntarily implementing strategies to reduce energy consumption and waste, use sustainable materials, offer greener products and contribute to the local community.
The Artful Deposit Gallery has been a highlight of the Bordentown City small business scene since owner and gallerist, C.J. Mugavero, opened a second gallery location in 1997.
Mugavero prides herself in bringing a large variety of original art, representing national, international and regionally acclaimed artists to the community. She incorporates numerous environmentally friendly strategies in her daily business operations including reusing all shipping and packaging materials and installing energy efficient LED lighting.
Mugavero has taken formal and informal leadership in other city initiatives. The Artful Deposit is a member business of the city reusable bag initiative, providing reusable bags at no cost for customers. Mugavero strives to bring beauty to the community and is a strong advocate for a walkable community; she’s collaborated with the New Jersey Clean Communities Program and helped with city beautification efforts in the business district in numerous ways. She has planted planters located in public space and has advocated for the placement of more and better marked waste and recycle bins in the business district. She encourages visitors to the city to take advantage of public transportation and the city shuttle.
Mugavero is also one of the content creators for Downtown Bordentown Association’s social media pages. The Artful Deposit is located at 142 Farnsworth Avenue and can be found online at http://artfuldeposit.com/
HoopHouse Bakery & Café opened their brick-and-mortar store at 353 Farnsworth Avenue in 2020. Prior to opening a storefront, Executive Chef and Owner Christine Wendland had established herself as a member of the community through her catering business, pop-up shop at Mimosa Goods and participation at the city’s farmer’s market.
Wendland has incorporated environmentally sustainable practices into the core of her business practices. She grows many of her own seasonal greens and veggies. In addition, she supports local farms and vendors through sourcing local and seasonal vegetables. In past years, Wendland has collaborated with local farmers and businesses to offer her baked items in a bi-weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Wendland is also committed to reducing the bakery’s waste footprint; old baked goods are used to feed a local hog farm and other food waste is composted. The compost she generates is used to help grow her own produce. Beyond filling their bellies, Wendland encourages patrons to visit the bakery for entertainment and education by offering events such as trivia nights and comedy shows on premises. For more information visit https://hoophousenj.com/
Bombadil Plant Shop opened in fall 2020 in the form of a pop-up shop in Mimosa Goods.
In 2021, owner Leslie Chiara acquired her own store front, located at 222 Farnsworth Avenue. Bombadil’s goal is “to create and support a sustainable community where people choose local products and services, where flower farms and farm families are thriving, where there is a diverse, strong local economy and where people are connected to the living world around them.”
Bombadil sources all of their flowers from farms within 50 miles of their shop in Bordentown. All the houseplants are grown within 100 miles of the shop in nearby greenhouses. Any cardboard waste from product shipments go to local farms for weed control. All bouquets are wrapped in recycled paper that is reusable and/or biodegradable. Any plastic nursery pots are reused for other propagation. All floral and plant waste is composted.
Chiara also promotes local farms and encourages local artists by purchasing from them and offering them a storefront to sell their items. In the warmer months, Chiara relocates most of her inventory outdoors on a welcoming patio at the back of the store. She relies on her rain barrel and the weather to water the plants as much as possible. For more information visit https://bombadilplantshop.com/
The Bordentown City Green Team will continue to recognize more businesses for their actions in promoting sustainability through arts and wellness in the community, responsibly sourcing materials and upcycling.
The team is a volunteer-based organization. All community members are welcomed and encouraged to join the team. The Green Team received Silver Status in the Sustainable Jersey Program and was a Sustainability Champion in the small municipalities category.
For more information contact bordentowncitygreenteam@gmail.com.
