The name Marian Mulderrig is synonymous with Manhasset. Along with her Chamber of Commerce co-president C.J. Coleman, Mulderrig is about to take on a vital role in preserving the history and beauty of Manhasset, as well as help the town succeed in business.
“C.J. and I are both longtime Manhasset residents and business people,” said Mulderrig of her connection to the town. “We’ve both been involved in the chamber for about five years.”
When asked about why she took on this new role, Mulderrig stated that it was time for her to step up.
“Each year we have become a little bit more involved and decided it was our turn to handle things for a year,” said Mulderrig, who would especially like to see Manhasset be successful in its businesses. “If they do well then the town does well, it looks nicer and appeals to more people.”
As for their biggest goal, Mulderrig and Coleman would like to focus on increasing an ambition to rebuild Manhasset, as the town lost a few businesses when the economy dropped.
“It’s difficult for small business to succeed, but the more businesses that do better exponentially creates growth for other businesses,” she said.
As copresident, it is Mulderrig’s responsibility to keep things organized and focus on gaining new membership.
“We want to get more people involved. The businesses are so busy focusing on surviving that they too, need a little incentive to get more involved,” said Mulderrig, who added that Katie Miller and Diane Harragan, both of Manhasset, are working very diligently in trying to increase the membership. “They started ‘Beautify Manhasset,’ and the funds will be used to decorate the town for the springtime and for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.”
Miller, who was born and raised in Manhasset, knows all about the importance of supporting local businesses. Her father, Walter Broemmer, owned Manhasset Iron Works, the first business on Plandome Road in 1929.
“My parents emigrated here from Germany,” said Miller. “My father built another business on Manhasset Avenue (now Maple Place Garage), and was there until 1969 when he passed away and we closed down the business.”
Miller has been involved in the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce since 2006, when she was honored as Woman of the Year by the chamber for her contributions to Manhasset.
With “Beautify Manhasset,” Miller hopes to assist the Chamber in its goal of continuing to grow merchant and resident memberships.
“I would like to see the chamber encourage residents to shop small and support locally owned independent stores,” said Miller. “Manhasset was built on these independent businesses and they need our support.”
Mulderrig has a few ideas of her own to help increase local business, including a legislative breakfast on April 7 with guest speakers Judi Bosworth and Anna Kaplan. Both women will speak to business members and share their plans for Manhasset and the Town of North Hempstead in general.
“We are also having a business card exchange at the end of the month and we’ll be inviting the Roslyn Chamber of Commerce to attend as well,” said Mulderrig. “There will be a presentation at the Verizon store about using social media to build a business.”
Mulderrig is also looking forward to working with the Coalition for a Safer Manhasset—which was co founded by Miller and Seval LaRocca in 2005—as well as the upcoming sidewalk cleanup project.
In lieu of the chamber’s 80th anniversary, Miller recently found a clipping from the Manhasset Press titled, “50 Years Ago In Manhasset,” dated June 28, 1984, which featured an article on “Business Men in Manhasset Form Chamber on January 25, 1935.”
“Celebrating 80 years and still growing and going strong in our beautiful community is an accomplishment the merchants and community should be proud of,”
said Miller.
For Mulderrig, the Chamber’s 80th anniversary is an occasion which she is excited to celebrate.
“It’s a significant achievement for a small town. We hope to have a gala evening event to celebrate at the end of the year,” she said.
With a bright plan for the future of Manhasset and a very special anniversary of the chamber of commerce on the horizon, it looks like everything will be in good hands under the care of Marian Mulderrig.
