By Ed Birch, Special writer
Cartridge World, the world’s largest specialty retailer of printer ink and toner cartridges, opened its latest franchise location in Monmouth Junction this week.
The store in the South Brunswick Square Mall is one of more than 600 locations in the United Sates and Canada, according to the company, which was founded in 1988 and is based in Spring Grove, Illinois.
Franchise owner John Applegate operates the location with his son and Manager, T.J. Applegate, making the venture a family affair.
The Applegate family lives in nearby Ewing Township.
”The South Brunswick/Princeton region was an area that the parent company was interested in developing,” Mr. Applegate said.
The location seemed to also be a perfect match with the intentions of the family, according to Mr. Applegate.
The present operating model of Cartridge World has vendors manufacturing the cartridges rather than each individual store refilling the previously used cartridges, according to Mr. Applegate.
The products come in bright yellow and blue packaging and are fully guaranteed. In addition, the company maintains that these products are fully compliant with printer warranties, Mr. Applegate said..
Mr. Applegate estimated that 80 percent of his business will come from other businesses and only 20 percent from home consumers.
Mr. Applegate said the company is very environmentally conscious and provides their products at very reasonable costs.
Despite the presence of other major retailers in the area that also sell printer cartridges, Mr. Applegate said he is very confident that once a consumer tries their product, “they will be hooked for life.”
The store is open Mondays through Saturdays. Delivery of orders is also available.

