Three Things on the Stretch

Just a few things to note in the past couple of weeks. I'll be back back on the beat soon with some more details and new stories.

1. New Physical Therapy Business

Innovative Physical Therapy Fitness Center has moved into Town Place Shopping Center, near the Party Fair store. The space was once occupied by Uptown Playaround. This is Innovative's second location. It also has a facility in Edison. This leaves only one vacancy in the Town Place strip mall--the space next to the CVS, where Party Fair used to be.

2. New Learning Center

Marlboro Learning Center has opened in the Tabtor Math building. The business also has locations in Morganville, Edison and Garwood. It provides tutoring for K-12 reading/writing and math as well as help in preparing for standardized tests such as ACT and SAT.

3. Roller Rink Clears Out

The Kendall Park roller skating rink, closed since Nov.  26, is cleaning out. Two dumpsters are in front of the building. A sign on the door says, "Closed for renovation." The rink closed its doors at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend.

Happy Holidays and wishing everyone a prosperous New Year!

Have any ideas for "This Stretch of 27"? Either leave in comments or email me at lkiesche@gmail.com.

Liz Kiesche

Liz, a business journalist, formerly worked for Bloomberg News in Princeton and New York.

Grand Opening Giveaway & Specials at Wawa

What better way to get customers in the door than a giveaway? Wawa opened its Kendall Park store on Friday, Dec. 8, and is offering free coffee this week. It's also offering $1.99 12-oz. milk shakes and $2.99 6-inch hoagies to mark its grand opening week. While afternoons have been busy, mornings have been slower than expected, said one of the store's employees. 

Coupon Marketing

Wawa has sent coupons to nearby residents, so business may pick up in the mornings as people realize the store is open and adjust their morning commutes.

Grand opening features free coffee

Gas price matches the lowest price in the area

The gasoline pumps are open, as well, and the per-gallon price for regular-grade gas matches the cheapest in the area at $2.25. Diesel sells for $2.71/gallon.

The grand opening for the Somerset Wawa five miles north on Route 27 is set for this Friday, Dec. 15, with doors opening at 8 am and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 am.

New Businesses Behind IHOP

One business is expanding and two more are moving into the strip mall behind IHOP in Franklin Park. The Spice Rack is adding a banquet facility next door to its restaurant. 

Meanwhile, signs have gone up for Pasha Mediterranean Restaurant & Banquet and Cloud 9 by Pasha. So far, there are no websites for either Pasha or Cloud 9. From the sign for Cloud 9, it looks like it will be a hookah lounge. And from the name, Pasha is likely a restaurant specializing in Turkish cuisine.

Since there are no websites for either Pasha or Cloud 9, there's no telling when the businesses will open.

"This Stretch of 27" covers business on Route 27 between Finnegan's Lane and Route 518. What's your story? Email me at lkiesche@gmail.com

Liz Kiesche
Liz, a business journalist, formerly worked for Bloomberg News in Princeton and New York.

Two Stores Open at Riya Plaza..More to Come

A Taste of Paris in Kendall Park

Farrida Kpamegan, a native of Benin, opened her first business on Saturday.

Les Delices bakery, or should I say patisserie, opened at Riya Plaza, at the Finnegans Lane intersection, on Saturday, Dec. 2. It's the dream of Farrida Kpamegan, who came to the U.S. 16 years ago. She studied at the Institute of Culinary Education to become a pastry chef, then worked for several years before opening her business in Kendall Park. She chose the location because it's very close to her home, and there's a lot of traffic along Route 27.

Among the Les Delices' offerings are speculos cookies, a European treat.

                                     

The bakery has a bit of a European air to it, since it specializes in French pastries, such as croissants and French macarons (not to be confused with macaroons, the coconut cookies). It also offers coffee and espresso, as well as quiches, sandwiches and soups.
Kpamegan says she's done some advertising and is still working on a website.

Time to Pamper Nails

The New Nail Time & Spa also opened about a week ago, according to an employee working there. That makes it the fifth nail salon in the area. The salon offers manicures, pedicures, aromatherapy, nail enhancements and waxing, according to its website.

Pie Five Pizza is gearing up for its opening. Signs are posted on 27 advertising that it's now hiring.

Also at Riya Plaza, construction is taking place in the end unit at the north of the strip mall. The permit posted on the window says the tenant is Ember, which is an Indian restaurant and bar that's currently located on Route 1 near the Deans Lane intersection in Monmouth Junction.

What's Happening at Franklin Towne Center?

In Franklin Towne Center, work has started on the space next to Douglass Pizza & Grill. Perhaps it's the new Indian restaurant that I've heard is planned for that shopping center. It seems a little unusual that workmen were jackhammering in the space on Monday evening at about 6:30. No construction permit was posted on the door or windows.

On Monday evening, workers jackhammer in the space next to Douglass Pizza & Grill.

Roller Rink Closes; Christmas Tree Retail

Last Skate for Kendall Park Rink

After 53 years, the Kendall Park Roller Skating Rink closed today, Sunday, Nov. 26. The owner plans to convert the building into retail space, says Connie, the woman who sells tickets for admission and roller-skate rentals at the door. "Last night was really hard." 

Final skate for the Kendall Park Roller Rink; closing after 53 years.

Rollerskaters will have an easier time finding skateparks in Central Jersey than roller rinks.  You'll have to go to Woodbridge, South Amboy, or Jackson for a roller rink.  Meanwhile,there are skateparks in  South Brunswick, New Brunswick, Somerset, and West Windsor.

The end of an era for the Kendall Park/Franklin Park area.
Roller rink doors closed for good at 5 pm today.

Tree Retailing on Route 27

Like everywhere else, Christmas tree lots have sprung up for the holiday season. On Route 27, two lots are in operation--one that's new and one that's been around for more than 30 years.

Top Tree Services, which operates about 20 sites in New Jersey and the Bronx has set up a lot in the Franklin Towne Center parking lot, its first year in this location. All trees are priced at $24.95. It's $9.99 more for a package that includes a fresh cut, netting, preservative and a disposal bag. The trees were shipped in from Canada and Michigan.

 Potting Shed Christmas Trees Are Back

The Potting Shed is selling Christmas trees, wreaths and grave blankets again this year.  Its owner, Steve Belly, plans to continue the Christmas-related business.  After 46 years in business, the The store closed in June and the property was sold a couple months ago. But the family still owns the house and property across the street from the store, where the Christmas tree lot operates. Steve is considering just opening the business during holiday periods, such as Valentine's Day and Easter. For example, he might sell palm crosses around Easter. 

Potting Shed's Steve Belly working on wreaths, grave covers.

Besides the Christmas trees, which retail starting at $20, the business also sells grave covers. His trees come from Nova Scotia and Pennsylvania. 
Besides trees, grave covers have been a big seller. He's sold over 3,000 of them. The Potting Shed also runs a Christmas tree lot on Easton Avenue by the Burger King in Rutgers Plaza in Somerset.

Denise has worked for the business for more than 30 years.

The tree lot opened on Nov. 20 this year, when it received its first shipment.

The Potting Shed sells more than 3,000 grave covers a year.

"This Stretch of 27" covers business on Route 27 between Finnegan's Lane and Route 518. What's your story? Email me at lkiesche@gmail.com

Liz Kiesche
Liz, a business journalist, formerly worked for Bloomberg News in Princeton and New York.

Thanksgiving: Open for Business

Most people typically think of Thanksgiving as a day off from their usual jobs, not that they're not working. Many spend hours, if not days, preparing for their annual day of thanks feast. Yet, there are many people who do not get the day off. And while that's always been the case, the annual shopping orgy of Black Friday has crept backwards into Thanksgiving, meaning more people than ever have to schedule their holiday dinner plans around their work schedule.

For those who don't work on Thanksgiving, today may be a good time to give thanks for the essential personnel on the job today. I'm talking about medical and public safety professionals--physicians, nurses, health aides, police officers, utility workers who keep the lights (and ovens on). To a lesser extent there are important (if not absolutely essential) jobs that don't take a break on holidays, such as journalists, radio and television broadcast technicians. Don't forget those who are on call and can't totally kick back.

Since Route 27 business is mostly retail, there are many stores open, some of which are surprising, like GNC. Perhaps some people would like protein powder to go along with their turkey.

 Aabh Beauty Salon and HairTime Salon were also open. Most of HairTime's customers were men stopping in for a haircut.

And yes, if you absolutely need to get your car washed today, Casino Car Wash is open.

In case you need vitamins or protein powder...

Car wash, anyone?

Preemptive Strike

Need to take off those pounds before you put them on? Call it preemptive a preemptive strike against belly bloat. Club Metro will be open until 1 pm.

Club Metro open til 1 pm 

No Holiday for Restaurants

It's not surprising that many restaurants are open today. IHOP is open until 2 pm today. Meanwhile, Confectionately Yours, which up until today was taking reservations for Thanksgiving dinner, is open until 5 pm.

Isabella (left) and Elena at IHOP on Thanksgiving morning

IHOP online orders counter open

Confectionately Yours serves Thanksgiving dinner

Need some medication? All CVS pharmacies are open today until 2 pm. Meanwhile, Walgreens is open, but its pharmacy isn't. 

Walgreens photo department open; pharmacy isn't

CVS store and pharmacy open

Urgent Care Available

If you cut or burn yourself while preparing dinner, Brunswick Urgent Care has four employees working, including a physician, to patch you up. Holidays are usually pretty busy, says Maggie, who mans the reception desk. The business is open until 5 pm today.

Maggie at Brunswick Urgent Care's reception desk

In case you have unexpected guests, Stop & Shop and Route 27 Farmers Market are open. And if you forgot to pick up wine or beer, the liquor stores along Route 27 are open, too.

Stop & Shop open for picking up orders and last-minute needs.

And to pick up beer and/or wine for dinner...

If you find Thanksgiving too stressful, you can fuel up at Valero and drive off for a last-minute vacation.

Gas stations open, as usual

"This Stretch of 27" covers business on Route 27 between Finnegan's Lane and Route 518. What's your story? Email me at lkiesche@gmail.com

Liz Kiesche
Liz, a business journalist, formerly worked for Bloomberg News in Princeton and New York.

This Just In...Pop-Up Thrift, Real Estate, Wawa

Pop-Up Thrift Store 

The space that was most recently a shoe repair shop on the corner of Claremont Road will be a thrift store for a day. On Saturday, Nov. 18, the site that was also once the Franklin Park post office, will transform into a thrift store from 9 am to 4 pm. That's the same day as the holiday bazaar at Six Mile Run Reformed Church next door to the pop-up store.

New Real Estate Agency

Gautams Realty opened an office in Kendall Park about a month ago. Broker/manager Chandra Ghosh says the agency chose Kendall Park because, "there's a lot of business in the area. People want to move to the Princeton area and Monroe."

The real estate agency, which also has an office in Iselin, mostly serves the residential market, but also does commercial and investment business. 
"Last year, business was better than this year," observes Ghosh. Since then it's slowed some, because there aren't as many homes for sale, she says.
The real estate agency's new office reflects the influx of Asian Indians into the Franklin Park/Kendall Park area. Most of Gautam's customers are Asian Indian, though not all, Ghosh says.

Wawa Construction Almost Done

The gas pumps have been installed and landscaping is underway at the Wawa. The construction fence has also been taken down and it looks like the building and its interior are complete. Perhaps it will open by the end of the month. Wawa hasn't returned by emails requesting comments and the date of the store's opening isn't yet listed on the website. It only indicates the store will open in the fall. See website here.

"This Stretch of 27" covers business on Route 27 between Finnegan's Lane and Route 518. What's your story? Email me at lkiesche@gmail.com

Liz Kiesche
Liz, a business journalist, formerly worked for Bloomberg News in Princeton and New York.

Odds & Ends

Finnegans Lane Mess

On Monday afternoon, traffic from Route 1 North was being diverted onto Finnegans Lane, leading to backed-up traffic at the Route 27 intersection. South Brunswick Township says traffic on Route 1 in both directions (just north of Finnegans Lane) is due to downed wires crossing the roadway. Click here for statement.

TD Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested

On Nov. 3, Police arrested a Hillsborough man charged with robbing the TD Bank on Route 27 on in Franklin Park on Sept. 3 and the Chase Bank on Elizabeth Ave. on Nov. 1, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's office.  Quentin D. Watson, 50, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree robbery. A continuing investigation into a number of central New Jersey bank robberies is continuing and additional charges against Watson are pending, according to TapIntoFranklinTownship.

                                         Suspect Quintin Watson arrested. Source: Somerset County Prosecutor's office

Election Results

By now you probably know that New Jersey will have a Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, next year. Here are results for the state legislature districts and township officials. For all New Jersey state/local election results, click here.

In South Brunswick, Democrat Christopher Killmurray defeated Republican contender John O'Sullivan by more than 2-to-1 margin. Killmurray received 7,289 votes to O'Sullivan's 3,068. 

Democrats also prevailed in Franklin Township council elections. Four incumbents, all Democrats, won their races--Ted Chase, Charles Onyejiaka, Carl Wright, and James Vassanella. Will Galtieri, also a Democrat, won a seat on the council.

In the state senate, both incumbents won their races. Republican Christopher Bateman, whose district includes Kendall Park, retained his seat, as did Democrat Bob Smith, whose district includes Franklin Park.

In the state assembly, Democrats dominated both districts. Andrew Zwicker (incumbent) and Roy Freiman won their races for District 16; Joseph Danielson (incumbent) and Joseph Egan (incumbent) retained their seats.

On a county level, the Democrats achieved a clean sweep in Tuesday's election. Kevin Hoagland won as surrogate. Charles Tomaro and Leslie Koppel won three-year freeholder terms, while Shanti Narra won a one-year unexpired term as freeholder.

In Somerset County, Republican Brian Levine retained his office as freeholder, joined by fellow Republican Brian Gallagher. Democrat Steve Peter won county clerk office defeated Republican incumbent Brett Radi by only 128 votes.

"This Stretch of 27" covers business on Route 27 between Finnegan's Lane and Route 518. What's your story? Email me at lkiesche@gmail.com

Liz Kiesche
Liz, a business journalist, formerly worked for Bloomberg News in Princeton and New York.

Diner Tradition Revived in Franklin Park

Stefanos Papadimitriou and his two partners, Gus and Jimmy, were met with some skepticism when they said they planned to open a diner in Franklin Park. "People thought we were crazy," said Papadimitriou. After all, Franklin Park's population is almost 30% Asian Indian, according the U.S. Census Bureau estimate for 2015.

Established March 2016

Still, Stefanos and his partners saw a need in the community for a traditional diner. It had been about 20 years since there had been a diner in the area. (The last one I can remember was the Kendall Park Diner, which had been in the shopping center next to the roller rink.) 

Time-Tested Format

The diner opened on March 24, 2016 at the site that was formerly Four Musketeers Pizza, and business has been good. "The community was very welcoming," he says. One of the reasons why they chose this particular building is that "we didn't want anything too big," Papadimitriou says.

View from the counter (every real diner needs a counter.)

The owners don't want to stray from the time-tested diner format. "We're trying to keep the traditional approach," Papadimitriou says. The diner has two to three family-style dishes a day such as stuffed peppers or stuffed cabbage, and they're always made from scratch, as are the daily soups.

Stefanos, one of the partners

Baked goods, though, are made off-site at a bakery in northern New Jersey, including muffins, pies, cakes and cheesecake.

Taking on the Challenge

The hardest part about running the business? "Consistency," he says. A big part to maintaining consistency is making sure one of the partners is present. All three of them are there most of the time, Papadimitriou says. Like any restaurant, especially a diner, that adds up to a lot of hours. The diner opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Staffing, too, is a challenge. "We're always searching," Papadimitrious says. A sign in front of the restaurant announces that the diner is currently seeking help.

The staffing issue

Family Connection

Diners are not new to Papadimitriou's family. His father-in-law, who owns the Manville Diner, helped him open the Franklin Park Diner. Papadimitriou, though, worked in corporate sales before deciding to leave that avenue to pursue diner life. His partners, too, have years of experience in diners. (When I stopped in, Stefanos was running head of house, while Gus was back in the kitchen.)

Community-Based Marketing

The business's marketing plan is mostly community-based, in terms of sponsoring baseball teams, dance teams, advertising in school play programs, and contributing to hospitals and other organizations. They also work with a local church. Reviews on Yelp and Facebook also help build the business, he said. Like any business, it also has a website, which features the the diner's menus.

In a community rife with Indian restaurants, Franklin Park automatically differentiates itself. Perhaps, its most direct competition is IHOP about a mile north on 27. Operating as a small, independent restaurant, though, Franklin Park Diner should be able to provide more authentic home-style fare than a large chain restaurant. Time will tell if this time-tested format succeeds in Franklin Park.

"This Stretch of 27" covers business on Route 27 between Finnegan's Lane and Route 518. What's your story? Email me at lkiesche@gmail.com

Liz Kiesche
Liz, a business journalist, formerly worked for Bloomberg News in Princeton and New York.