Half dozen new businesses open in borough
By Elaine Leahy, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN – For Neil Schloss, there’s “something magical” about the borough.
And the owner of the new It’s Magic store is not alone.
Defying the economic downturn, at least six businesses have taken wing downtown during the past nine months.
For many of the owners, the old real estate tenet “location, location, location” holds true. H20 Floral Import’s owners, Laura and Tony Garcia, opened their wholesale flower business in October and said they chose the borough due to its central location.
”Geographically, Hightstown is very strategic to our business,” said Ms. Garcia. “It takes the same time to go to New York City as it does to Philadelphia, and it’s right off the New Jersey Turnpike. For the purposes of distribution, it’s a great central point.”
The owner of Diana P. Lang Photography agrees. Ms. Lang, of East Windsor, said she was attracted to Hightstown’s small-town feel while enjoying the exposure of being on a busy main street. She said she’s had quite a few inquiries as a result of people just driving by her studio at 167 Mercer St. since opening in December.
Peter Adamo, the East Windsor resident who owns the Italian café Molto Bene, which opened in January at 116 Mercer St., said Hightstown has “great character and we liked the old buildings and historic look of it.”
A jewelry store also is among those recently opened. Unique Jewelry owner Francisco Almache said he has been working in the business and designing jewelry for 25 years. He has previously owned other jewelry shops in the borough, but he said this new location, at 127 Mercer St., is the best he has had. He especially likes that the store, which opened in May, is on the borough’s main drag near plenty of parking.
For Mr. Schloss, who opened his magic store about three weeks ago, it was a no-brainer. He explained that he already owns the building in which the new shop is located, at 109 Mercer St., and also runs a consulting and accounting business in part of the space.
”I’ve always said there is something magical about Hightstown, so it’s a good fit to open a magic store,” said Mr. Schloss, of Millstone
The newly opened Fernando’s Grille also is in a great location, said co-owner Fernando Suquilanda. He said he much prefers his new spot, at 173 Mercer St., to the former one on Route 130 in Robbinsville.
”We’re very lucky to have a very supportive community,” said Mr. Suquilanda, of East Windsor. “Friends and neighbors are walking in and wishing us good luck. It’s been more than we could have expected.”
Do the owners think the economy is turning around? Most say yes.
”For me, the economy is great,” said Mr. Almache. “We offer custom designs, do repairs on premises and fulfill special orders. I offer unique craftsmanship, which attracts customers.”
Ms. Garcia said the economy hasn’t affected her business. She said there will always be occasions for flowers, such as weddings.
Mr. Adamo, of East Windsor, expressed a similar sentiment..
”The difference with my business is we’re a food business and people always eat,” he said. “I don’t think restaurants are suffering as badly as other businesses.”
Mr. Suquilanda, who opened earlier this month disagreed. He said with his initial venture in Robbinsville, he “got hit with the bad economy,” adding, “there are no bailouts for us.”
Nonetheless, he said, he definitely thinks the economy is getting better.
With the influx of new businesses has also come the creation of new jobs. The manager at Fernando’s Grille, Sean Willard, said most of the applicants for summer help have been Hightstown High School students. Four local residents have been hired at the establishment which specializes in American cuisine, and more are expected.
Co-owner Mr. Suquilanda said, “It’s wonderful to have jobs to offer. Providing a job to somebody else is a wonderful feeling.”
Mr. Schloss is doing his part by providing jobs to some of the 20 magicians who comprise the local branch of the Society of American Magicians organization, which is based in Hightstown.
”There are some in the group who are in the Magic Hall of Fame,” he said. “and there is a local magician who will run the store.”
The local Downtown Hightstown organization has been a supportive partner to many of the businesses, said photographer Ms. Lang.
”It’s a network of people to work with and help each other out,” she said.
The group has assisted Mr. Suquilanda and his brother and co-owner, Marcelo, in publicizing the grand opening of their restaurant. Mr. Suquilanda said, “They’re really nice people. They just come by and they’re really there to help.”
Mr. Schloss noted that he is the treasurer of Downtown Hightstown and tries to be very active in revitalizing the downtown and enjoys “giving back lots” to the community.