Friday, November 23, 2012
Start your holiday shopping at locally owned stores during Small Business Saturday.
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Friday, November 23, 2012
Big name national retailers take the spotlight on Black Friday as their deep price cuts pull in shoppers in droves. What about those mom-and-pop businesses all over Montville? That’s basically the question that was asked back in 2010 when the concept of Small Business Saturday was born. Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 24 this year, two days after Thanksgiving. It is a day for everyone to support the small businesses that their community thrives on. American Express founded the day in 2010 to help small businesses get exposure during the holiday season, when they might be otherwise overlooked. With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue …
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Local deals may entice shoppers away from the malls and into neighborhood stores this season.
As the stuffing begins to settle in the bellies of Thanksgiving diners across the country, some will already have their eyes on the newest and hottest holiday gifts as they head to the malls on Black Friday. Others will ditch the chaos and packed parking lots to shop local. Black Friday, the day when the Christmas shopping season officially begins, means something to not only big-box retailers, but small businesses as well. In Montville, business owners are proving it by offering specials and deals on only Friday to kick off the holiday season. Gabriel Jewelers, on Route 202 in Towaco, will be hosting a sample sale on Friday where special pieces will be brought in specifically for the event. A store employee said the sale will feature "one…
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Small business owner Linda Fuller offers tips for growing your business and offering more services to expand cliental .
There are many small businesses in Montville. Some of them may be places you and your family frequent, businesses that have been in Montville for as long as you can remember. And some may be your go-to places instead of national chains. Small business owner Linda Fuller is no stranger to starting a business from the ground up. In her recent interview with Patch Partners, a website connecting business owners to Patch in local communities, she offers insight into how she expanded her business’s services from just flowers to wine, beer and gourmet gift baskets at Lake Anne Florist in Reston, VA. Homework must be done first, she said. “Research what’s compatible with your own products and services, what the current trends are and what your …
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Just what is Small Business Saturday and why should you support it in Montville?
Big name national retailers take the spotlight on Black Friday as their deep price cuts pull in shoppers in droves. What about those mom-and-pop businesses all over Montville and beyond that are the backbone of America’s economy? Just when do they get their day? That’s basically the question that was asked back in 2010 when the concept of Small Business Saturday was born. Small Business Saturday is “a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities,” the U.S. Small Business Administration explains on its website. American Express gets the credit for founding the shopping holiday, which got its official start on Nov. 27, 2010, according to the Small Business Saturday Facebook page. Celebrating its third …
Friday, November 16, 2012
Pine Brook Dunkin Donuts had record sales as owner welcomed those seeking warmth.
The Pine Brook Dunkin Donuts typically sees a steady stream of customers as the only coffee and donut chain store of its kind in Montville. But in the days immediately following Superstorm Sandy, the store, located at 36 Route 46, became somewhat of a shelter for those seeking refuge from homes without power and looking for a place to plug in. Franchisee and Owner Nita Panchal said in the three days immediately following the storm's landfall on Oct. 29, the store recorded four times the amount of sales than in an average week. The line of customers wrapped around the building, which also houses a mattress store and pizza restaurant. Inside, some customers sat for hours working on laptops after Panchal said power strips were plugged in to …
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Pizza shop expands dining experience with seated restaurant area.
Adding a dining room to Gencarelli's pizzeria was always part of the family's plan since the establishment was first opened in 1982 by Antonia and Carlo Gencarelli. Now run and co-owned by their son, Guy Gencarelli, daughter, Julianna Coppola, and son-in-law, Michael Coppola, Gencarelli's has been able to bring the expanded restaurant plan to reality. Gencarelli's, located at 1 Hook Mountain Road, in Pine Brook, expanded its space by about 2,000 square feet after taking over the deli next door and re-naming in Paesano's. Previously, seating was limited inside the pizza restaurant. Paesano's continued to operate as a deli for years before its closing in February for the construction of the dining room. In March, the pizzeria was closed down…
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Hurricane Sandy has caused severe damage to many local businesses. if you're a small business owner, here's some helpful advice for how to recover.
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Wednesday, November 14, 2012
1) File insurance claims as soon as possible, if you haven't already done so. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers important advice and tips for filing your claim. The National Flood Insurance Program also provides information on filing a flood insurance claim. 2) The SBA offers several low-interest, long-term disaster loans to small businesses in declared disaster areas, including business physical disaster loans and economic injury disaster loans. You can apply for loans up to $2 million for both uninsured and underinsured damages. You can apply directly online. Once submitted, the SBA will send an inspector to estimate the cost of damage. 3) Apply for tax relief if needed, which will allow for expedited returns or …
Monday, November 12, 2012
Sandy interrupted its grand opening, but things are full steam ahead for new Lake Hiawatha bakery.
The official grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the CakeOver, a new bakery now open on North Beverwyck Road was held Oct. 23. Afterward, the family-owned business was supposed to spring to life. But then came interruptions: Superstorm Sandy and the nor'easter Athena. With weather adventures over, at least for the present, the new establishment focuses on getting to business—and helping Parsippany get to know the CakeOver. The new bakery is not your average cake and cookie concern: The CakeOver is the first gluten-free and specialty bakery to open its doors in Parsippany. Don't let the hyphenation scare you. “You do not have to be gluten-free to enjoy the free samples and the desserts the bakery has to offer," said Alison Teperman, the …
Monday, November 5, 2012
Tell your neighbors what is open and where.
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Monday, November 5, 2012
As more businesses become open, we need your help keeping readers informed. Please comment any open businesses you know of below. Here are a few that we knew of to get you started:
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Governor's new gas plan and restrictions imposed by station owners results in slightly shorter waits in some places, same story in others.
At noon Saturday, Gov. Chris Christie's even-odd gas rationing mandate went into effect for 12 New Jersey counties, including Bergen, Essex, Morris, Monmouth, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren. The result, in some cases, was modestly shorter gas lines than have been seen in the days since Sandy hit. Of course, other stations featured the same long lines and interminable waits that have dotted North Jersey in recent days.
Kathleen Lindert
11:13 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012
This is great! I have a small business as well in Caldwell and participating in it as well! Support your local businesses, they not only help employ people, they donate their goods for fundraisers, help out when people need assitance. Small business owners help with the community, keeping it clean. Small Business Owners Rock!! Kathy Lindert Hypnotist Advanced Hypnosis Counseling.LLc. more ›