Help Wanted Ranges From Alankar to Wawa

I've noticed a few help-wanted signs in the area, the most noticeable being the one at the corner of Beekman and 27 announcing that Wawa is now accepting applications. Wawa's website doesn't give an estimated opening date for the site that's now under construction.

Positions include customer service associates, fuel service associates and night supervisor. The company didn't respond to an email seeking clarification on when the store/gas station will open. The site was previously a Lukoil gas station with a Circle K convenience store, which was closed a few years ago.

The new Wawa will be well situated, since a new development, East Meadow Estates, is being built around Wawa and the Tabtor Math building. The development was approved for 55 single-family homes by South Brunswick Township.

Other places that are hiring are the Franklin Park Diner; Alankar Boutique, which is seeking a tailor; Hair Time, advertising for a barber; Cleworth Conditioning, seeking an HVAC technician; Domino's, L'Affaire Bakery; and Party Fair. It's likely that most of the stores that are coming soon (mentioned in Sept. 18's post) are also looking to hire.

Odds and ends: Construction has started in two store fronts in Franklin Park Plaza, behind IHOP. No signs have yet indicated what will occupy the spaces and the real estate broker didn't return a call seeking further information.

Mini-Profile: Alankar Boutique

When Stein Mart closes next month, the only store selling clothing (other than underwear and sweat shirts in Walgreens, CVS and Stop & Shop) will be Alankar Tailoring Boutique, the company's third store in New Jersey. It's located behind the CVS on Route 27 south, not to be confused with the CVS on Route 27 north.

Husband-and-wife team Darshita and Rikesh Solanki at Alankar Boutique

The Franklin Park store opened about a year ago and is doing well, says Rikesh Solanki, who is a partner in the business. His wife, Darshita, also works at the store. The couple comes to the U.S. from Gujarat, India's western-most state. 

The store imports clothing from India, as well as sells custom-made clothing. Alankar hasn't done much advertising or promotion, Solanki says, other than listing on Google Business. Word of mouth appears to be the main source of their customers, who are both from the Franklin Park/Kendall Park area as well as further south. 

Let me know what's going on in your business on Route 27 between Finnegan's Lane and Route 518. Email me at lkiesche@gmail.com

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