METUCHEN — A longtime borough business owner spoke up on behalf of himself and other small businesses in town, pointing out that such merchants should remain valued amid incoming large-scale developments.
Justin Hopkins, owner of Bill’s Ineffable Automotive Rehabilitation, 400 Amboy Ave., said at the March 16 Borough Council meeting that the business has been part of Metuchen for more than 50 years. But area development has forced him to lay off staff and find a new location, he said.
The Greenway Village development project, which starts at 392 Amboy Ave., is slated to turn the shopping center in which Bill’s Auto is located into two buildings that house 49 apartments. The developer received approval for the project early this year.
Hopkins said he feels he is not alone in his problems, as he feels more businesses are closing their doors and more residents are putting up their homes for sale lately. He attributes these trends to both commercial development and proposed high-density residential units, he said.
“We should all be worried about this kind of change,” Hopkins said, adding that developers “should not be accommodated without question.”
He urged the council to remember the value that small businesses bring to a community.
“Small businesses employ more than half the population of these United States,” Hopkins said. “Small businesses are worth protecting.”
Grayzel acknowledged Hopkins’ sentiments.
“They’re heartfelt, they’re appreciated,” Councilman Ron Grayzel said of Hopkin’s words. “It is a time of great change in Metuchen, and I think we’re all sorry to hear you got hurt by it. Unfortunately, private property rights take precedence over interests such as yours, and there’s not much we can do about it.”
Grayzel added, however, that he was happy to hear that Hopkins found a place in town to relocate temporarily.
“That’s good news,” he said.
After the meeting, Hopkins said he found a new location to rent on Pearl Street. The new site is about a third of the size of his existing building, he explained, necessitating the layoff of a full-time technician and a part-time office staff member.
He said he’s looking at this move as a bridge between the old location and a location that the business can own one day.
“Everyone is happy that he’s been able to find a location, because he’s a trusted and well-regarded local business,” Councilman Jay Muldoon said.
Hopkins said he is pleased, as well.
“It’s very important to us to make sure we stay in town,” he said, explaining that his primary goal is to be able to accommodate the needs of his clients. “I don’t look at this new shop that we’re moving into as better or worse.”
Hopkins said since his appearance at the council meeting, various clients and officials have contacted him in support of keeping his business in town.
“It’s been very moving,” he said. “I can’t emphatically state enough my gratitude for the council.”
Hopkins said he hopes his experience reminds officials and residents to be cognizant of how developers treat small businesses, who he said deserve “a touch more respect.”