Hewlett, Woodmere Business Groups Merge

The organizations that represented businesses in Hewlett and Woodmere merged into one last Thursday, a move that has both association presidents looking forward to a stronger business community in the future.

The Hewlett Business Association and the Woodmere Merchants Association will now function as one group known as the Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association.

“You can see and feel the advantages just by looking at how things are in the Five Towns,” said Dr. John Santopolo, head of WMA. “By us joining together, by having more people to represent, we’ll have more political power. The effort is almost the same, but we’re able to double the benefits.”

Joe Gelb, head of the Hewlett group, said he has been pushing for a merger since the group’s inception in 1995-96. But it wasn’t until a WMA member pressed Santopolo, who took over as president last year, to pursue a merger that the two groups started the process.

“Hewlett and Woodmere are basically one community,” Gelb said. “If you think about it, it’s the Hewlett-Woodmere Library [and] School District. There are a number of issues that affect both shopping areas,” such as parking and traffic.

Members of the group will visit merchants and professionals in Hewlett and Woodmere in the coming weeks in an attempt to boost membership. Dues are $100 a year. They are  also looking for members for a nominating committee and hope to hold elections for officers in the coming months.

The association’s goal is “to advance economic prosperity and to encourage public/private cooperation that will broaden the economic base and enhance the quality of life in our community.”

Since Hewlett and Woodmere are not incorporated villages, Santopolo pointed out, the area relies on the Town of Hempstead and Nassau County to get things down. With the new group, Santopolo said they now have two representatives on Hempstead board — Anthony Santino and James Darcy.

“I’m hoping this merger will create a spirit of cooperation between Hewlett and Woodmere and left the spirits of both areas,” he said.

Gelb has even higher hopes.

“My expectations are tremendous. There’s no limitation to what this group will do,” he said. “I foresee Hewlett and Woodmere as a miracle mile of the south shore.”