BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Tough getting go, but haircut at Mike’s worth it

By Bradley Koltz
   Sometimes going into downtown Princeton feels more like running a gauntlet of slow cars, no parking and jaywalkers. And don’t even get me started about the people darting across the road on their bikes.
   It’s easy to forget what a really nice experience it is once you get out of your car and can walk around. I really needed a haircut, and they do a really good job at Mike’s, so I pointed the car down Witherspoon and decided to park at the town garage on Spring Street. It was early afternoon, but I easily found a spot. I walked across Spring Street and into Mike’s Barber Shop (they’re on the corner of Spring and Witherspoon).
   Because I was on the later side of the lunch hour, I didn’t have much of a wait at all, and 15 minutes later was respectable again, and even had time for a hot lather shave.
   A haircut at Mike’s is a step back in time. It’s cheerful, the staff is friendly and after a few cuts remember how you part your hair, ask how your kids are, sometimes by name. They offer free coffee, and it’s as much like visiting some friends as getting a haircut.
   Customers chat and kid each other, and there’s always something interesting on one of the TVs when you run out of chitchat.
   For a competitive price, you get a great cut, get reconnected with people in town and feel a bit spoiled.
   Back at the garage, because I was only gone for 20 minutes, my parking was free. And who doesn’t like free?
   Mike’s Barber shop is located at 16 Witherspoon, at the corner of Spring Street. Their number is 609-924-0944.
   Sales
   Gasior’s is offering up to 50 percent off on Baker, Henkel Harris, Council, Century, Hickory Chair, Harden, Hancock & Moore during this week’s Presidents Day sale. Located at 2152 Route 206 in Belle Mead. (908) 874-8383.
   Congratulations
   Jim Weichert, president and founder of Weichert, Realtors, and Mike Robinson, president of Weichert’s affiliated companies, announced that Pat Hoferkamp has been named president of Weichert Referral Associates Co. Inc.
   Hoferkamp will be responsible for leading strategic initiatives focusing on the growth of Weichert’s referral business and managing the company’s day-to-day operations.
   Congratulations to Sharon Cappella, Borden Perlman’s longtime account executive, who was named February’s “Champion for Business” Award Winner from the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
   Call Borden Perlman, located in Lawrenceville since 1915, at 800-932-4476 to congratulate Sharon or find out more about their insurance, bond and risk management services.
   Fun things
   Cream Ridge Winery will host its Wine and Chocolate Weekend, Feb. 11 and 12.
   Sample award-winning wines and take a tour. Featured wine is Chocolate Berry, a Red Raspberry wine with chocolate.
   Browse the gourmet shop and taste goodies dipped in milk and dark chocolate. Receive a glass with $5 admission. Hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, call 609-259-9797 or visit creamridgewinery.com.
   Dr. Ikeda Chiropractic uses the Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic Technique, and says he does a lot of work with migraine sufferers. One of only 250 doctors worldwide board certified in this technique, he is in Mansfield center in Columbus, and can be reached at 609-298-7700.
   You might want to look for the 15 percent discount offer in our paper for Larry’s Residential Window Cleaning. They offer competitive prices and are bonded and insured. In business since 1960, you can reach them at 609-688-1880.
   Valentines
   For a lovely meal in an intimate setting on Valentine’s Day, Molto Bene has a fine selection of Italian foods and desserts for you to choose from. If you can’t make it on Valentine’s Day, they have a daily lunch special from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are located at 57 North Main Street in Cranbury. For more information, check out their website at www.moltobeneonline.com or give them a call at 609-662-4193.
   The Rocky Hill Inn is a great spot for Valentine’s Day. You will get a free surprise if you order the special three-course tasting. Located at 137 Washington Street, Rocky Hill. (609) 683-8930. It is only minutes away from downtown Princeton and parking is free.
   If you’re on Main Street in Cranbury, and still looking for a great Valentine’s Day gift, visit Charmed by Claire, featuring a great selection of Brighton products for unique gift ideas. They are located at 60 North Main Street in Cranbury. Give them a call at 609-409-6077.
   Santino’s Pizza & Restaurant has a special on Valentine’s Day in their “new” banquet room, including an a la carte menu with homemade heart-shaped crab cakes and heart-shaped ravioli’s with lobster filling. There will be live music, too. Reservations are required. They are at 1240 Rt. 130 in Robbinsville, and can be reached by phone at 609-443-5600 or online at www.santinosristorante.com.
   Necessities for the Heart is having a special event for Valentine’s Day on Friday, Feb 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.: Trollbeads’ Trunk show of hundreds of Universal Uniques. There will be refreshments and door prizes. This will only be at their Allentown location at 28 South Main Street. Call them at 609-208-1198 for more information.
   Spend Valentine’s Day with comedian Robert Klein. He’ll be at Catch A Rising Star on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at the Hyatt Regency at 102 Carnegie Center on US 1 North in Princeton. The evening includes a four course romantic dinner, a free rose, and the comedy show. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 and the show is at 8:30. Just $99 plus tax and gratuity. Visit www.catcharisingstar.com or call 609-987-8018 for tickets.
   Local businesses to know about
   Sunburd Cleaning started out in an all solar powered home in Ohio and is now located in Princeton. They specialize in all-natural, eco-residential cleaning. They can be reached at (609) 937-1214.
   Quality Decks, located in Hamilton, specializes in composite decking and outside living. In business since 2000, their crew foremen have 100 years combined experience. They’re a Trex-rated Gold-Pro installer and they can be reached at (609) 888-4770.
   Russell Garage Door Company, located in Florence, has been in business since 1984. They specialize in garage door installation, garage door openers, and garage door repairs. This spring they’ll be offering rebates on new steel garage doors, and they can be reached at (800) 489-DOOR.
   Mon Visage Day Spa located at 842 State Road, Princeton, (609) 924-0071, is going through some renovations but is still open for business. So if you need a relaxing massage or a manicure and pedicure give them a call to schedule your custom package.
   It’s almost spring, and that means water. Pennacchi and Sons is Mercer County’s oldest waterproofing contractor. They do all phases of waterproofing including above and below grade, and offer 24 hour emergency service. Call them at 609-584-5777, visit them at www.APennacchi.com or email them at [email protected].
   If you’re a local business doing something new, interesting, good for the community, or just want to let our readers know about a new product or service, please contact General Manager Brad Koltz at [email protected].