About The Qazbar
A local online marketplace, built by a local nonprofit, to help independent businesses get found and grow together.
Why we're building it
Most shoppers now start online, even when they buy from the shop down the street. Big platforms are built for big sellers. Many of the independent businesses that make East Orange what it is have little or no online presence, so customers who would gladly buy local can't find them.
The Qazbar changes that. It's a shared digital marketplace where local businesses can be discovered, contacted and supported, all in one place.
The name and the arch
The name draws on the kasbah, the historic walled quarter of North African cities, where many merchants trade side by side. Our logo's archway is the gateway, and the stained-glass pieces inside it are the many businesses that, connected together, make something stronger than any one alone.
Who runs it
The Qazbar is owned and operated by Amelia Promise, Inc., a New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation committed to strengthening local economies through digital economic infrastructure.
Because we're a nonprofit, our goal is measurable community impact: more visibility, more local purchasing and stronger local businesses. That's why we ask participating businesses for a short, confidential quarterly report. Only combined, anonymized totals are ever shared.
Thurmon Cohen ("Mr. C")
Executive Director, Amelia Promise, Inc.
An engineer-trained entrepreneur, New Jersey real estate developer and author, Mr. C leads The Qazbar and personally works with each business during onboarding.
Our commitments to every business
Keep it running
We keep the marketplace available and working, and we actively market it to local shoppers.
Protect your information
Your business and financial details are never published or shared without your written permission, except where the law requires it.
No surprises
You get 30 days' notice before any change to fees or major policies, and you can leave at any time.
Where we're headed
We're starting in East Orange, then growing to Essex County and the rest of New Jersey. The businesses that join now are the foundation for everything that follows.
Be one of the first 100
Free for six months, with the $199 setup fee waived for Founding Merchants.
Join as a Founding Merchant