A local nonprofit promoting the town of Princeton’s economy has appointed a new executive director, Robin Lapidus, whose credits include Harvard and MIT, and one of her goals is to enhance Princeton’s college-town feel.
“It’s really exciting when the surrounding business community and the attractions that come with a prestigious university coalesce and create a user experience that’s rich for everybody, whether you’re visiting for the day, or you’re there for four years, or you’re there for your life,” Lapidus said in an interview.
“Probably the only thing that causes an economic downturn in a town like Princeton is when there are no college students in town to patronize the businesses,” said Aubrey Haines, the president of Experience Princeton.
Regarding her plans for the future of Experience Princeton, Lapidus explained that she hopes to emphasize “fun” for the Princeton community.
“I have heard from some of the students and some of the business owners that … we should really pay careful attention to the user experience, and that includes students, residents, travelers, visitors, tourism, to make sure that there’s an element of fun,” Lapidus said.
In 2007, Lapidus was involved in organizing a Hogwarts-themed festival at Harvard to celebrate the release of JK Rowling’s final installment of the Harry Potter series. Lapidus notes that this event was a huge success, bringing together thousands of people in costume to enjoy a “wizard rock concert” in Harvard Yard.
According to Haines, many leaders and business owners engaged in intensive discussions about the best way to improve Princeton's economic vitality. Ultimately, they determined that a special improvement district — which, according to Haines, defines a geographic area where business owners tax themselves to generate revenue to fund general improvements to the town — would help strengthen the local economy. Experience Princeton was officially established in 2022 as a result of these discussions and as a response to reduced consumer activity during the pandemic.
“The ‘Experience Princeton’ name was chosen specifically because the idea is to improve [the experience of] everybody who comes through that town, whether they are a resident or a student or a professor or someone who is visiting the town for the first time,” Haines said.
In August, Isaac Kremer stepped down as executive director after three years. The search for a replacement has been on since, and Lapidus “raised her hand” at exactly the right time, according to Haines.
“The addition of Robin is exactly what we were looking for. She’s the right person at exactly the right time, and we couldn’t be more excited,” Haines said.
Lapidus, who previously served as the executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association and Central Square Cambridge, expressed her excitement about working in Princeton.
“My job … is to be more cognizant of the messaging that tells people that this is a place where they can relax, enjoy, and have fun,” Lapidus added.
Lapidus also expressed her excitement to begin outreach efforts and represent the many voices of Princeton’s community, especially students.
“I would like to find opportunities for students to tell me what’s really working for them and what are the best channels to get connected,” Lapidus said. She shared that the organization will be launching a new social media campaign that she hopes will be “able to help capture business owner voices and students’ voices.”
Kristin Appelget, the University’s representative to the Experience Princeton board, shared in a statement to The Daily Princetonian her excitement for the Lapidus’ engagement with the University campus.
“Her prior experience in Massachusetts with business districts that are adjacent to educational institutions will be incredibly helpful, and I look forward to collaborating with her and campus partners to identify opportunities to increase foot traffic between town and gown,” Appelget wrote.
“We’ll come up with whatever the [exact] right thing is for Princeton, too. And I know that’s a big promise, but I will try really hard to deliver something that’s equally as epic and as meaningful,” Lapidus told the ‘Prince.’
Haines expressed similar ambitions. He shared that his experience as a Tufts University student was a lot of fun, but the ‘college-town’ atmosphere in Princeton could see some improvement.
“We studied hard [and] we played hard, and there were plenty of places that we could go to where we [could] enjoy [the] late evening. Princeton doesn’t have that right now,” Haines said.
Haines also emphasized improving the “user experience” in the town, such as expanding permitted uses in retail zones.
“One of the things that we will do is get rid of haberdasheries [and] include nightclubs or jazz clubs and encourage uses that will … improve the ‘cool factor’ in town,” Haines told the ‘Prince.’ A haberdashery is a place where men’s clothing is sold.
Lapidus said she feels optimistic about Princeton's future and the opportunities that might unfold.
“Everywhere I turn, I see something I want to experience … and that’s a really good feeling. Not all places evoke that. So I just feel very lucky to have this job,” Lapidus told the ‘Prince.’
“Cambridge was a very fun place to be, and I fully expect that Princeton will be a fun place to be as well,” she said.
Amaya Taylor is a News and Prospect contributor from Memphis, Tennessee. She can be reached at at9074@princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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