Business

VOLUNTEERS AT WORK – Volunteers at the Food Bank’s warehouse on Churchill Avenue. (Photo: Franklin Food Bank.) The Franklin Food Bank recently received a $15,000 grant from Bank of America. The grant will help the Franklin Food Bank further its mission of serving neighbors in need, while improving economic mobility in greater Somerset County. Between 2022 and 2023, the Franklin …

GRAND OPENING – Christine Aboyoun cuts the ribbon April 20 at the Grand Opening of The Dispensary of Somerset, 920 Hamilton Street. Another April 20 – 4/20 – and another grand opening for a cannabis adult recreational store in the township. This time around it was The Dispensary of Somerset, 920 Hamilton Street, doing the honors. 4/20 is a veritable …

AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETS – The Township Council’s ad hoc committee on retail signage chose to hold its first public meeting virtually on April 29. Changes to the Township’s retail signage regulations that take into account a businesses’ location rather then set broad-brush standards may be in the offing. That was the upshot from the first open meeting of the …

ORDINANCE DEFEATED – An ordinance that would have removed a 2,000-foot distance requirement between liquor stores, promoted by Mayor Phil Kramer, was defeated after facing stiff opposition from township liquor store owners. An ordinance that would have eliminated the requirement that liquor stores be located at least 2,000 feet from each other was defeated at the April 9 Township Council …

The township is on track to once again have a discount furniture store. Levin Management, the leasing and management agent for Hamilton Street Center, 712 Hamilton Street, announced on April 4 that Red Tag Furniture Outlet has committed to a 5,750-square-foot space in that plaza. Hamilton Street Center is anchored by the Super Tropical Foodmarket. Red Tag Outlet is owned …

GRAND OPENING – Leaf Haus co-owner Shani Madaminova, assisted by Township Councilman Ram Anbarasan, cuts the ribbon at the Leaf Haus grand opening in August, 2023. (File photo). Sales taxes paid by the township’s four operating cannabis dispensaries totaled to more than $200,000 in 2023, a Township official said. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said the Township received $201,076 from the …

Submitted by Leaf Haus Dispensary Leaf Haus, Holistic Solutions, and Voltaire Cannabis, three distinguished women-owned cannabis dispensaries proudly rooted in New Jersey, are delighted to announce their collaborative celebration on March 8th at the Trappy Hour Lounge, 342 George Street, New Brunswick. This free event welcomes the public to an evening filled with live entertainment, free giveaways, and an unparalleled vibe filled …

ASKING FOR HELP – Shani Madaminova, co-owner of the Leaf Haus cannabis dispensary on Easton Avenue, told the Township Council on February 13 that her business is suffering because of the Township’s current signage regulations. A plea from a local small business owner at the February 13 Township Council meeting spurred the governing body to create an ad hoc committee …

GIVING THANKS – Franklin Food Bank Executive Director Derek Smith thanks those in attendance at the inaugural “Love They Neighbor” fundraiser, sponsored by The Marigold catering hall. The Marigold catering hall was the scene February 13 of a special fundraiser for the Franklin Food Bank. The “Love They Neighbor” event was sponsored by the catering hall itself, and probably won’t …

RIBBON-CUTTING – Usman Siddiqui, third from left in front row, cuts the ribbon to his new business, assisted by Township Councilmen Ram Anbarasan and Alex Kharazi. Also in attendance, and in the front row, were Township Councilwoman Shepa Uddin and Chamber of Commerce president Nick DeMeglio. After 20 years of serving clients in the Iselin section of Edison, Usman Siddiqui …