‘A new beginning’ at senior apartments

Recently-completed complex allows a veteran Princeton resident to remain in his hometown

By: Olivia Tattory
   "Esposito: A New Beginning," reads the door plate on one of the 67 apartments in Harriet Bryan House, the newest addition to Princeton Community Housing’s senior housing facility Elm Court.
   Vincent "Jim" Esposito resides in this apartment and after calling Princeton home for 70 years, said he couldn’t be happier with where he is today.
   "It’s quiet and beautiful here," said Mr. Esposito. "The women who run this place know what they’re doing and are very nice."
   After hearing about the facility from two friends, Mr. Esposito said he’d give it a shot and filled out an application. Not only does Harriet Bryan House mean reduced living expenses for Mr. Esposito and its other residents, but it also provides a sense of community that isn’t necessarily easily acquired for senior citizens. Mr. Esposito recounted reuniting with a friend 67 years later after seeing him in the facility.
   Housing for senior citizens is in short supply in Princeton, both market-rate units and affordable housing such as at Elm Court. Over the years there has been a constant call to allow those senior residents who have contributed to the town and made it work to live out their days in their hometown. Mr. Esposito is a perfect example of that person.
   After moving from Brooklyn in 1937 with his high school sweetheart Lena "Lee" Esposito, Mr. Esposito opened Esposito Brothers service station across from Mike’s Tavern on Route 206 at Birch Avenue, owned by his brother-in-law. "I started there when it was just a shack," he said.
   After spending two years in the Persian Gulf as a mechanic, Mr. Esposito returned to Princeton in 1945 and opened his second service station on Witherspoon Street. It was at this station that he remained until 1980 when he retired. His youngest son, he explained, could run the service station by himself when he was only 11 years old.
   Over his many years in Princeton, Mr. Esposito said the friends he’s made throughout the area are invaluable. Those friends included renowned physicist Albert Einstein and former New Jersey Gov. William Cahill, he said. Mr. Esposito recalls Einstein walking on what is now Route 206 and stopping frequently to speak with him.
   "I would also see Albert walking to the Institute (for Advanced Study)," he said. "We had many conversations over the years."
   Mr. Esposito remembers a time when a 25 cent banana split at Cleve Warren ice cream shop was the best and "most delicious" deal in town. Fewer ice cream shops along Nassau Street is one of the things that has changed over the years, he explained. He also recalled the trolley car that could be heard from "a mile away" that ran from Princeton to Trenton.
   After retiring, Mr. Esposito said he agreed to help out a friend and work at the Palmer Square parking garage, but for only three months. He is still there today. In his 27 years at the garage, Mr. Esposito said the staff and managers have all treated him with utmost respect. It may be because he’s been there longer than anyone else, he added.
   Famous faces, including Brooke Shields, have exchanged words with Mr. Esposito at the parking garage booth and the fact that he can still walk only a small distance and be where he was 70 years ago — on Nassau Street — brings a smile to his face.
   "I have many friends here in Princeton," he said. "Even though I can’t say if I were to walk to the corner I’d know everyone like I used to, I can say I don’t forget anyone’s name."
   According to Mr. Esposito, Princeton has been very good to him over the years and he has never once looked back to Brooklyn. The small community feeling Harriet Bryan provides him with is nothing different from what his experience prior to living there has been.
   The Harriet Bryan House became the newest addition to the PCH program on May 6, at an official ribbon cutting ceremony. The building is named after Harriet Bryan, a past-president of PCH and long-time trustee. PCH is the largest provider of affordable housing in Princeton, offering over 460 units.