Ridgewood‘s Fresh Pond Road shopping strip is lit up for the season after a long holiday hiatus.
On Nov. 20, 31 strands of lights, ranging from Fresh Pond Road and Metropolitan Avenue, down to the intersection of Fresh Pond Road and 71st Avenue, were hung, signaling the start of the holiday season.
The owners of Ridgewood Office Products Center, Michael Addeo Jr. and Craig Addeo, along with the help of Ridgewood resident Ann Marie Kostner, started a campaign back in August to try and bring the festive lighting back to Fresh Pond Road for the holidays.
“It was an effort that was started by a longtime Ridgewood resident, Ann Marie Kostner, who went to many stores to discuss if they would participate,” said Michael Addeo. “Once we had a very positive response we formulated a Holiday Light Committee and we were off and running.”
Kostner and the Addeos, along with Phil Barrone Sr. of Valentino’s, Michael Conigliaro, and volunteers Michael Naumowicz and Keith Maas, reached out to every merchant on Fresh Pond Road between Metropolitan Avenue and 71st Avenue and sent them holiday light participation letters, asking them to donate to their cause.
Many organizations agreed to help bring the holiday lights to Fresh Pond Road, and Ridgewood Office Products Center will be releasing a full list of all the participating companies, organizations and individuals in the near future.
The lights are from Bronx-based New York Christmas Lights, Addeo said.
“They are very festive, put everyone in the holiday spirit, reminds people to shop local, and are a nice way of saying thank you to our customers, neighbors and the community who support the local businesses on Fresh Pond Road all year long,” Addeo added. “[It lets] them know we care.”
According to Addeo, the lights will remain over Fresh Pond Road until Jan. 6, 2017, or the following week.
