One day, Yvonne Giovanetti — Uptown Pitman Chamber of Commerce President and owner of The Inn on Holly Bed and Breakfast in Pitman — was walking along the street in Stone Harbor with her husband, passing by all the “cute shops.”

“I looked up and saw a sign that said ‘Stone Harbor Welcome Center,’” Giovanetti recalled. “I thought, ‘We need a Pitman Welcome Center.’”

She made it happen. On May 24, the Uptown Pitman Chamber of Commerce will officially open their very own Welcome Center in conjunction with the first Chamber-sponsored Fourth Friday event of the season in Pitman.

“With the re-invigoration of Uptown Pitman, it seemed natural to create a hub with everything you would want or need to know about Pitman,” Giovanetti said.

The Uptown Pitman Welcome Center will offer information about local businesses, schools, housing and organizations.

Giovanetti said the Catalyst Committee has compiled a list of qualified professionals willing and able to devote their time to assist prospective businesses, residents and property buyers to pick Pitman as their ultimate choice.

“They keep a list of professionals you may need if you’re moving into the area,” she said.

Theresa LaMonaca, owner of Treasures on Broadway in Pitman said the Welcome Center is “Giovanetti’s baby.”

“She came up with the idea for the town of Pitman and the shopping area,” LaMonaca said.

LaMonaca, who is chairperson for the Fourth Friday events, said the Welcome center will be a vital resource for potential new businesses and residents.

“The Welcome Center will eventually become a one-stop shop for potential businesses looking to join our Uptown district, and for folks visiting who want to know all we have to offer in Pitman,” Giovanetti said.

The Center will officially open at 7 p.m. during the first Fourth Friday event which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and features open-air trolley rides, a steel drum band, stilt walker, face painters and much more.

“We’re trying to have different things so, as you walk down the street, you can see different events,” LaMonaca said. “We’re non-profit and running on a very small budget. We’re always looking for street artists for our Fourth Fridays. We need people to donate their time and put their hat down.”

The Uptown Pitman Welcome Center is located on 2nd Avenue in Pitman.