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Monday, nov 25
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Customer Service
News
Fed Up With NJ Transit? New Customer Advocate Is Here To Help
The next time your NJ Transit bus drives right past you or your train loses service, you'll have a customer advocate to hear your woes. The NJ Transit Board of Directors on Thursday, Oct. 10 named its customer advocate. Meet Franck Beamin. Born and raised in France, Beamin pursued higher education in law, earning a license degree in Public Law before continuing his studies at the Institute of Political Science in Rennes. There, he focused on Urban Networks in Developing Countries and Planning Policies, graduating with two master’s degrees. Following his higher education, Beaumin…
News
Goffle Creamery Voted Best Ice Cream In North Jersey: Meet High School Sweethearts Behind It
Some of Vinnie and Alyssa Penna's best childhood memories were getting ice cream at the Old Bar Milk Barn. If you grew up in Wayne, you know it: The brown barn with red and white signage. You could grab a cone at the walk-up window or sit in a booth or at a bar. The Pennas enjoyed many an ice cream cone at the Old Barn Milk Bar in their summers dating through Wayne Valley High School. The two got married in 2012 and in August 2021, they opened Goffle Creamery 686 Goffle Road in Hawthorne. The Pennas always envisioned creating a shoppe that would be an ode to places like the…
News
Popular Jersey Shore Italian Restaurant Powers Through Another Blackout: 'One For The Books'
On June 22, when an area of Highlands lost power amid a brutal heatwave and severe storms, Porcini's closed its doors. So when the restaurant lost power on Saturday, July 6, Porcini's decided: Not this time. Losing two Saturdays in four weeks would've been "detrimental" for the small, family-owned business, the restaurant wrote on Facebook. "Tonight was one for the books," the post said. "This is the second Saturday in a month that all of the town was in complete black out. "Our staff pulled together to salvage the night. HUGE thank you to our customers who decided to stick it out with us…
News
Celebs Keep Coming Into This New Jersey Coffee Shop
It feels like Summer. Rachel Bilson, known for her role as Summer on "The O.C.," is the latest Hollywood star to have stopped by one Cape May coffee shop that's regularly frequented by celebrities. Coffee Tyme owner Jesse Lambert recognized Bilson right away when she saw her walking by the Washington Street store on Saturday, June 22. "I knew she had come to our shop before, I've heard employees talking about her being there," said Lambert, 34. "I just said, 'Hey Rachel.' And she turned around. That's when I got a little tongue tied and told her, 'That's my cup.'" Ultimately, Lambert…
News
NJ Transit Service Suspended For Third Time This Week, Passengers Hurl Angry Tweets
For the third time this week, NJ Transit service has been suspended both in and out of NY Penn Station Friday, June 21. NJ Transit cited the cause as Amtrak overhead wire issues. It was unclear if these were the same wires causing issues Thursday, June 20. 2 of 2: NJ TRANSIT rail tickets & passes are being crossed-honored by NJ TRANSIT and private carrier buses and PATH at Newark Penn, Hoboken and 33rd Street, NY. Customers should visit https://t.co/spCbF3CIxN for alternate service information. — NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) June 21, 2024 Service was suspended Tuesday morning, June 18, …
News
Downed Lines Disrupt Amtrak, NJ Transit Service Between NJ, Penn Station
It's certainly not convenient. Amtrak and NJ Transit customers were livid over service disruptions between Penn Station and Newark due to downed power lines blocking the tracks on Wednesday evening, May 22. In a statement posted to X, Amtrak said service was stopped at 5:36 p.m. with no estimation of restoration. As of 10 p.m., widespread delays were being reported by Amtrak. Service along NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor was also suspended between Penn Station and Metropark in Edison, and along the North Jersey Coast Line between Penn Station, and Long Branch. The Raritan Valley Line was s…
Business
Melting Pot Of Westwood Closes After 21 Years
A popular fondue restaurant is leaving Bergen County. Melting Pot of Westwood announced it will be closing on Sunday, June 2. No reason was given for the closure. "We would like to thank our many loyal guests; it has been a pleasure serving you all these years and we are grateful for your business," the restaurant wrote on its website. "Often, family celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations or other happy occasions, I hope we played our part. Not to forget the many engagements in our Lovers’ Lane section." The restaurant said gift cards can be redeemed at other loca…
News
One-Way NJ Transit Tickets Will Soon Expire After 30 Days
NJ Transit is rolling out a new policy for its one-way tickets. Beginning Monday, July 1, all one-way tickets will expire after 30 days, NJ Transit announced. All tickets purchased prior to July 1, will expire on July 31, regardless of their original date of purchase. There will be no changes to the existing refund policy, NJ Transit said. The 20-trip FLEXPASS pilot fare will be discontinued on July 1, NJ Transit said. The last date to purchase a FLEXPASS is Sunday, June 30, NJ Transit said. "We understand this change may require adjustments, and we are here to assist you," NJ Transit sai…
News
NJ Restaurateur Thrilled To Be Rid Of 'Culinary Gangster' After Gordon Ramsay Revamp
It has been five months since Gordon Ramsay gave Bask46 an overhaul, and owner Steve Baskinger seems to be pleased with how things are running at his Woodland Park restaurant. "Kitchen Nightmares" aired on Monday, Oct. 2, highlighting the turmoil going on at the restaurant. Chief among the problems were the ongoing conflicts between Baskinger and executive chef Bobby Fortunato, the self proclaimed "Culinary Gangster." Ramsay took an immediate dislike to the Culinary Gangster, and forced him to straighten up. After a successful relaunch, the end of the episode revealed Fortunato quit the ne…
Lifestyle
Longtime Buddies Liven Up Bergen County Dining Scene With New Restaurant
Chris Irving is diving headfirst into the restaurant business. Irving opened Eleven Central Bar and Restaurant in Midland Park last November, with his partner Paul Rosen, a longtime restauranteur. "We're really looking forward to serve the local community," Irving, a Ramsey resident, said. Eleven Central serves up delicacies like burgers, sandwiches, wings. Irving stresses that every ingredient they use is fresh. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eleven Central (@elevencentralmp) "We're not using frozen beef," Irving said. "We…
News
2,500 Southwest Flight Cancellations Leave Stranded Passengers Seething In Post-Christmas Mess
More than 2,500 Southwest Airlines flights were cancelled and 8,3072 delayed as of Wednesday, Dec. 28 leaving even more passengers across the US stranded and seething. Processes and computer systems that haven't changed since the 1990s are to blame, Captain Casey Murray, the president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, tells CNN. “It’s phones, it’s computers, it’s processing power, it’s the programs used to connect us to airplanes," he said, "that’s where the problem lies, and it’s systemic throughout the whole airline." The federal government said it plans on investigating. Cu…
Obituaries
Lifelong Morris County Resident, Faithful Church Deaconess Dies Unexpectedly, 39
Lifelong Morris County resident and faithful church deaconess Shanell Renee Henderson died unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 14. She was 39. Born in Morristown, Shanell was a “miracle child” who suffered health issues as an infant and was given a two percent chance at survival, her obituary says. “Thirty-nine years later, she exemplified the sufficiency of God’s grace and mercy,” reads her memorial. Shanell graduated from Morristown High School in 2001 before briefly attending The Chubb Institute in East Hanover. She was also a faithful member and singer in the choir at Union Baptist Church in…
Business
Rising Costs Force Closure Of Popular Mexican Eatery In Atlantic City, Hundreds Express Sadness
Labor, food and rising fuel costs have forced the closure of a popular Mexican restaurant in Atlantic City. Los Amigos announced plans to close its doors in this Facebook post last week. The restaurant had been in business for 46 years. Los Amigos, located at 1926 Atlantic Ave., originally opened in West Berlin in 1976, before moving to Atlantic City two years later. “We are sorry to say Los Amigos will be closing its doors until further notice due to the poor labor market, exorbitant food costs, and fuel and energy costs,” the Facebook post said. “We would like to thank all our custome…
News
'Don't Be a Douchebag': Texts From North Jersey Restaurant To Customer Go Viral
Antagonistic messages between a North Jersey restaurant and a customer checking the status of his food have gone viral. Montclair's Joe Stephen reached out to Get Stuffed in Union to see where his Uber Eats delivery was earlier this month, when the owner quickly became antagonistic, according to text messages and a report by NJ Advance Media. Stephen tells the restaurant it's been more than 45 minutes that he's been waiting. "Bumper to bumper everywhere and flooding everywhere," the restaurant says. "Getting driver info and it's not due yet — would you like us to ask somebody to jump into …
News
Hard Rock Hotel Gives Bonuses Worth $1M To 2,200 Atlantic City Casino Workers
More than 2,100 casino workers at Atlantic City's Hard Rock Hotel got some good pandemic news on Tuesday. Grateful for its workers' efforts despite new challenges from COVID-19, the company announced that its front-line team members will receive individual cash bonuses ranging from $250 to $1,000. Jim Allen, Hard Rock International's chairman and CEO, said Tuesday that the company is giving out bonuses to thank workers for providing good customer service. But they also are an acknowledgment of the extra challenge posed by the pandemic. “The dedication of our team members ha…
News
Revamped Wayne Licensing Center Reopens Monday With These Improvements
The new and improved MVC licensing center in Wayne will open Monday, Oct. 19. The new 21,672-square-foot licensing center is nearly triple the size of the previous building (approximately 8,200 square feet), making it one of the largest MVC Centers in New Jersey. It will have more than four times the number of service counters as before. A new road test field house, office building for inspection workers, and expanded parking lot, with nearly double the number of spaces as before, also have been constructed on site. “Wayne is one of our busiest locations in North Jersey and the n…
Business
Customers Unimpressed By New Tick Tock Diner, Manager Says Not Much Has Changed
Pretty but pricy: That's what nostalgic customers say of Clifton's new-and-improved Tick Tock Diner. The Route 3 locale recently unveiled changes made during a 10-week renovation -- its first in nearly 25 years. Online reviews and customers who wrote to Daily Voice said the prices are higher, menus are different and portions are smaller. Tick Tock Diner's general manager Teddy Daniil, however, says: Not so. "Many of the changes are interior design and most of them are just the color of the booth, wallpaper, new bar counter," Daniil said. "It's the old counter with padded seats -- nice, b…
Business
Stop & Shop Makeover: Roll Out Of 'Refreshed' Format Includes $70M Renovation Of Stores
Stop & Shop stores throughout the area and the country are set to get a makeover. The supermarket chain announced its intention to introduce a new brand concept at more than 400 locations in the Northeast. The initial rollout is scheduled to begin in Connecticut with 21 stores, followed by a $70 million renovation of all the company’s grocery stores. According to Stop & Shop President Mark McGowan, the new look will “reflect a more customer-centric strategy, based on convenience,” as well as a wider selection of fresh, local food products. Improvements reportedly include an i…
Business
American Dream: Teaneck Barber With Kindest Smile Celebrates 50 Years In Business
There's something reassuring about Lorenzo Lavorgna's smile. It's genuine. It's kind. His presence alone is enough to put you at ease -- to make you feel at home at his Teaneck barbershop, Fifth Avenue Haircutters. Aside from cutting your hair, that's what Lavorgna is after. "When people walk out with a smile on their face," he said from inside of his Cedar Lane shop, "it makes me happy." Oct. 2 marks 50 years in business for Lavorgna -- affectionately known by customers as Larry -- who has yet to tire of his trade "No doubt about it, I love to talk," he said. "I love to socia…
Business
Spy On Your Pizza Being Made At Ridgefield Park Domino's Theater
You can now sit and stare at your pizza being prepared at the new Domino's pizza theater in Ridgefield Park. The Main street store is designed to allow flexibility for several elements otherwise unheard of when it comes to the “traditional” Domino’s store. Highlights include a comfortable lobby, indoor seating, open-area viewing of the food preparation process and the ability to track carryout orders electronically on a lobby screen. The store also features a chalkboard to allow customers to express their creativity or to leave feedback for the store team members. “We are excited to bring…
Business
Bergen County Jeweler Genuine As His Gems
Five years ago, Riki Landa came to Garden State Jewelers in Teaneck to have a watch battery replaced. Owner Ryan Schwartz put a cold water bottle in her hands and kindly helped her with her watch. Landa said there was no pressure for her to buy any of the sparkly jewelry in the cases -- but that's precisely what brought her back into the store, time after time, year after year. "Sometimes you go into a jewelry store and employees are there to make a sale and get it over with," Landa said. "Ryan and the staff here are very sincere. They're just here to help." Landa has…
Business
Meet New Fair Lawn Meineke Owner; Youngest Yet At 31
Samuel Sa believes that each Meineke Car Care center is like the vehicles on its lifts. They are smooth and sleek at first glance, aesthetically pleasing and inviting. Lifting the hood on both the cars and the business reveals a complicated system with many working parts. The failure of just one part, on either the car or the business, can cause deterioration -- which over time will lead to a break down. When Sa first lifted the hood on his recently acquired shops in Fair Lawn, Passaic and Butler, he saw what amounted to a late-model car -- one that works but needs some attention. He wa…
News
Assemblywoman Goes Undercover Exposing Bad Service In Hackensack Office
Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi visited the Bergen County Unemployment Office in Hackensack to reveal bad service, posting her findings on Facebook in a video. The assemblywoman had received a complaint by state resident Monica Brinson, saying that she visits the office often for its benefits but feels as if she's treated like an inmate She recorded what she saw on her cell phone Monday: which was a crowd of people saying they'd been waiting for hours. "I almost got physically removed for videotaping the attached but afterwards did get a comprehensive tour and analysis of the good, bad a…
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