The Hammonton Gazette 01/29/14 | Page 4

Town welcomes new businesses and expanding ones Wednesday, January 29, 2014 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3 TOWN, from Page 1 McDonald’s. there hasn’t been a taco Bell franchise in the area for more than a decade. Since its return, business has soared and it can only be helping other surrounding businesses. Summerwood Corporation Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jim fullam discussed taco Bell’s return in Hammonton. fullam is one of the heads of a company, based out of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, that is among the largest franchise-owned restaurant operating companies in the Philadelphia area. it owns more than 80 restaurants in the area such as taco Bell, KfC, Pizza Hut and Long John Silver’s. CONVERT TO GAS CUT YOUR UTILITY BILL IN HALF! Interest Free Financing, Rebates & Tax Credits Available Call Keith Galletta (609) 561-1616 ENERGY CONSERVATION “Well i think the key to Hammonton is the way the town has setup the zoning for the [area]. i think it works well for the homeowners of the community and i think it works well for the business people in the area because it is pretty much segregated there along route 30 and route 206. You kind of have one-stop shopping, and whatever you need from a restaurant standpoint or retail standpoint, everything is right there,” fullam said. fullam noted the town’s growing business and population as another factor for bringing the popular fast food franchise back to Hammonton. “the fact that Hammonton is a growing community, and i am not exactly sure of the borough boundaries in terms of Hammonton, but that greater Hammonton area is growing business-wise and population-wise. it is kind of an ideal area,” fullam said. Overall, fullam is pleased with taco Bell’s opening in the area. He was happy with the entire process, which led to the fast food restaurant’s return. “We are very happy with the quality of the applicants we got from the Hammonton area. We were able to hire around 50 folks that live in and around Hammonton, and their [taco Bell’s] com- DiMeglio Septic, NJSL6077 • NJ HIC License #13VH01292800 Est. 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio Inc. 1 (800) 427-4617 ~ 561-1007 ~ 561-3597 491 S. White Horse Pike • Ancora, NJ • Grease Trap Cleaning • Portable Toilets • Septic Certifications • Jetting Service pany is always one that promotes from within…We provide a lot of opportunity for upward mobility and we already found a couple of people, and they have only been there for a [few] weeks, but they are kind of exhibiting some of the qualities we would like to see in management. it has been very good,” fullam said. Located in the back plaza of taco Bell is Dollar tree on the White Horse Pike. it recently expanded to triple its original size, and store manager Jo-ann Weissinger stated it was a necessary move. “i think it is good for the town of Hammonton because they really needed to fill and expand these empty businesses around here. Now, there is a taco Bell so it is coming full circle i guess you can call it,” Weissinger said. Dollar tree’s expansion was an essential move. Weissinger believes it was most important for the customers. “this is important for the customers, for one. We have been trying to do this for years. all [Dollar tree] has been doing is looking for the right spot [to expand]. i believe [Dollar tree] never wanted to move out of this complex,” Weissinger said. the former Super fresh building to the left of Dollar tree has cre- ated a large vacancy along this section of town. Dollar tree’s expansion is important to the plaza area, but it won’t be a true success until its neighboring facility is filled. “i think once this area fills up, this will be fantastic. right now, there is not enough draw in here. i think it is very important to have something else in here,” Weissinger said. Hammonton auto exchange is a used-car dealership on 12th Street in Hammonton, and it recently opened for business. it is located near Wawa food Market and across from Hollywood Dog. Michael torres is the owner of the business, and is pleased with the town and the customers they have served thus far. “i think Hammonton is a great town. We have just opened up. We have felt comfortable in the town, and we seemed to hit it off with the people. i think this location [on 12th Street] is good for our business,” torres said. JoJo’s froYo, a self-serve frozen yogurt establishment, recently opened in the downtown area on the corner of Bellevue and Central avenue. the Clements’ family, Loretta and alyssa, are the co-owners of the business and noted the appealing downtown as one of the rea- See BUSINESS, Page 14 FISHMAN & FISHMAN, LLC Attorneys at Law - Serving All Your Personal Injury Needs SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Auto Accidents • Motorcycle Accidents Slip and Falls • Dog Bites • Construction Accident Wrongful Death • Free Consultation 245 S. White Horse Pike • Hammonton • 567-2009 As see in THE KNOT Spring 2014 Thinking of proposing on Valentine’s Day? the right ring will do all the talking The Massey Family 121 S. White Horse Pike Hammonton • 561-6222 Follow us on... /BrandJewelersinHammonton CUSTOM WEDDING BANDS REPAIRS COMPLETED ON PREMISES 0% BrandJewelers @BrandJewelers2 Financing Available *Financing programs are offered by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank with approved credit. 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