Trenton’s Backbone: The Unwavering Strength of Local Small Business Owners
Does the statement “Trenton Makes The World Takes” remain true? As you cross the Lower Free Bridge, which connects Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you’ll notice the bold statement glistening above the Delaware River.
Trenton was once at the center of the country’s booming manufacturing economy, as the city’s factories produced many goods for those in the tri-state. Folks migrated to Trenton to start their businesses and find work at these startups. Residents took pride in being Trentonians—and then there was an economic collapse. The Trenton you drive through today is not the Trenton it once was, but the heart is still there. And the heart is what the city’s government and business owners want to revive again. On the journey to becoming the example it once was, Trentonians acknowledge the past, plan to build a better future, and carry excitement about what that looks like for innovators in the city.
Trenton, a city that grew in popularity as an industrial giant starting in 1679, has a rich entrepreneurial past. A Quaker named Mahlon Stacey led the economic boom by building a gristmill and producing grains for farmers in the city and surrounding areas. Men saw the location’s profitability and started to plant their businesses in Trenton. Less than 100 years later, the town had ironworks (used for producing iron and steel), forges (used for shaping metal), tanning yards (used for producing leather), and mills (used to grind grain into flour), making it a factory hotspot. Trenton created and exported everything from paper, violins, buttons, and frying pans. As you ride through the city, artifacts of this era are still present. What Trenton made, the world truly did take. That wasn’t just a catchy slogan, but was the way of life for those who built and established Trenton as an industrial capital in this country.
Trenton’s decline began in the early 1900s, before World War I, due to the popularity of mechanization of production. Companies introduced machines and automation, reducing the need for human workers. The families that could afford it migrated to the outskirts, finding new jobs and housing. As traditional manufacturing disappeared, so did Trenton’s economy. Those poorer workers who migrated to Trenton because of the city’s industrial promise were left unsupported. As a result, the town suffered deeply from joblessness.
The residue of that economic fall is still present. If you were to ask someone today, ‘What is Trenton known for?’ It’s likely their answer will be something other than ‘for steel, flour, or leather.’ We’re not even sure they’ll mention the entrepreneurial culture that remains. Over time, the city’s reputation has pivoted from being a manufacturing powerhouse to being gang-infested and poverty-stricken. While it’s easy to get consumed by disappointment about what it’s become, there’s hope for the future. The potential for revitalization is immense, and with collective effort, Trenton can once again shine as a beacon of innovation and prosperity. It’s already in her, so what needs to happen for Trenton to come alive again entrepreneurially?
“There’s an untapped opportunity,” Eric Maywar, the city of Trenton’s Economic Development Specialist, enthusiastically states, “things are trending in the right direction for anyone who wants to open a business.”
As we hit the streets of Trenton, there’s a twinkle in the eyes of business owners as they recognize the opportunity to grow and develop in a city undergoing significant changes for the better. For one, foot traffic is set to increase. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the State of New Jersey employed 56,000 state workers in Trenton before the COVID-19 pandemic began. As some workers get acquainted with returning to the office, small businesses in the area will have more opportunities to attract those customers. Trenton’s median household income has increased in recent years as well. That means there are potentially more dollars to go back into local shops. Also, what’s a city without a thriving downtown? Two years ago, the city approved the reconstruction of Warren Street with advances that will help small businesses. Everything sounds excellent and ideal! However, the business owners feel a gap between the potential and the reality.
A few problems exist. “Everything revolves around state and federal workers. They forget it’s a whole town here,” says Reggie Hallett. Reggie Hallett is the Executive Chef of 1911 Smokehouse, founded with his brother Maurice Hallett. Business is booming during the 9-5 hours and fades after the workday. Crime and poverty are still very real in Trenton, which can drive away business after work hours. Though revitalization is in the works, the reality is that Trenton is not recognized as a city people visit for leisure. To make things worse, there’s a parking problem. “We don’t own any of the lots. Our first couple of years, Police would come and write tickets,” Hallet continued. Convenience is an issue even if people want to support later in the day.
As for aspiring business owners in Trenton, locals feel like they’re “priced out of opportunity” if seeking a brick-and-mortar. Michael Wimbush, someone who searched for real estate in the town, provided an example of Trentonians’ struggle. “Let’s say my annual salary is 55k. If rent is $1,000, that’s half my salary before I buy food, before I pay car insurance, health insurance, and childcare. The downtown area is the most expensive real estate, so I can’t afford to open a business, but I have an idea.” His analogy is a reality for many innovative Trentonians who don’t make enough to chase their dreams—or as it seems.
After a detailed conversation with Maywar, Trenton’s Economic Development Specialist, it’s clear that the city’s offerings are unlike any other town in Mercer County. The tax incentives, grant opportunities, and loan rates can set any entrepreneur up for success. When provided the scenario about the Trentonians being priced out, Maywar immediately responded, “They should call me, or they should call the city, and we can put them in touch with the capital.” Without hesitation, City Hall is excited to help people build up Trenton through their innovation. The disconnect seems to be the communication of opportunities available, and Maywar admitted that that aspect is in the works of improvement.
With a few municipality changes, patience as Trenton’s culture evolves, and communication with current and aspiring business owners, Trenton will be a dreamland. So what else is needed? Pride. The attempt to erase decades of poverty and build a new and improved city requires lots of local rallying and support to achieve this change, which, fortunately, Trenton doesn’t lack.
When asked why he planted his business in Trenton, Hallett said, “I was born and raised here,” which is a theme in the city. Business owners either reside in or grew up familiar with the area.
Cesar Rosales, the owner of Cesar’s Italian Restaurant, has a similar experience. He witnessed many transitions in the Trenton business scene. After 20 years of working in Italian kitchens after migrating from Guatemala, he’s seen the rise and fall of food festivals, a surge in businesses closing, and differences in how companies are run in the area. Using his expertise as a cook, he decided to open his own restaurant. “They have a lot of Italian restaurants in Hamilton, but not [in] Trenton,” Rosales said, “we need good food in Trenton.” The owners in this city want the best for their neighbors. They genuinely love the people and city and chase the community over a check. People want to start businesses in Trenton, there is little convincing that needs to be done. That makes for the perfect recipe for building a powerhouse city.
Trenton is on the brink of forming a small business owner’s mecca. With the resources available, the government’s eagerness to serve, and Trentonian pride it’s hard to doubt any resident can be successful. Though there are challenges, as every city faces, there is opportunity. Tap into the momentum already in place to curate a Trenton economy that’s booming again. ‘Trenton Makes the World Takes’ 2.0 is underway.
