Joseph F. Savino

KEEPING THE DOWNTOWN AND RESIDENTS LOOKING GOOD

BY KIM ANN ZIMMERMANN

Presenting a polished appearance is Joe Savino’s business. As the president of the family-owned Adams and Madam fine clothing store in New Providence, he offers high-quality men’s and women’s clothing. When the downtown area of New Providence was in need of a makeover, he banded together with his fellow business owners to work on an image upgrade.

“This really was something that I felt very passionately about, and I am happy that we, as a business community, have worked to improve the image of our downtown area,” Savino says. As current chair of the New Providence Improvement District and current committee member of the New Providence Business and Professional Organization, he has put in countless hours, along with his colleagues who have businesses in the town, to ensure that the look of the downtown area reflected the community.

The result was a $1.4 million facelift, which is currently coming to fruition. The project was funded through a unique public-private partnership. The fact that all of the businesses in town ultimately supported the project is a credit to the process and the business community, Savino says. “It really says a great deal about the businesses here in New Providence and the borough officials. As chair of the New Providence Downtown Special Improvement District, it is personally gratifying, but this was truly a collaboration and a team effort,” he says. “It is not just simply a win for one person or one business. It is something positive for everyone, and that was the goal. I truly believe that to prosper as a business, you have to not only work hard at your own business but you need to help other businesses in the community succeed.”

The project to spruce up the downtown area involves many significant upgrades, including new curbing, sidewalks, paving stones, trees, benches and lampposts.

The Downtown Special Improvement District is not Savino’s only position in the business community. He has also served as past vice chairman and chair of the Suburban Chambers of Commerce and he has served as vice chair and chair of the New Providence Downtown Alliance. He has also been involved with the New Providence Municipal Alliance Against Drugs and Alcohol.

Savino credits his father, one of the founders of the business that has operated in New Providence since 1958, with his strong involvement in the community. “I grew up here at the store, and he used to take me to chamber meetings all the time,” he says.

While there is competition from the malls and discount retailers in the area, Savino says he remains successful because he works to control costs, offers a selection of
high-quality merchandise and provides superior customer service. He is a hands-on owner who is responsible for every aspect of the business, from marketing to purchasing to day-to-day operations. “The company was founded on the belief that if you treat your customers as you would want to be treated and always do the right thing for your customers, regardless of profit, they will want to come back to you,” he says.

He also sets his business apart by offering unique services such as a personal shopper that will bring selections to your home or office. They also help new graduates build their business wardrobe with discounts and a special payment plan through an interest-free customer account.

While his retail roots are in New Providence, Savino also gained valuable experience as a clothing buyer early in his career. He also traveled to Italy last February as one of only five store owners from the United States invited on a trip organized by the Italian Trade Commission.

Savino is married with children — three boys and a girl ranging in ages from 10 to 3 — so he supports many of the fundraising efforts of local schools. “We do whatever we can to support schools and charities that are important to our customers,” he says.

He also encourages his fellow business owners in town to decorate for the holidays and stay open during the town’s annual Christmas Walk. “New Providence’s slogan is ‘nice people, nice place.’ I believe you have to live it, not just say it.”