Business

Debbie Madaio says her Hamilton Street cannabis store will “cater to the cannabis-smoking woman.” To Debbie Madaio, it’s no surprise that the first two cannabis retailers in Franklin are likely to be women. “Women are in the forefront of the cannabis industry,” said Madaio, who has a conditional retail license for her store, Weed Stalk, at 646 Hamilton Street. She …

What could be one of the township’s first adult cannabis retailers is set to open in this space in the Somerset Village shopping center in April 2023. What could be one of the township’s first adult cannabis retail stores is scheduled to open in an Easton Avenue storefront in April. The store, which will be called Leaf Haus, is planned …

Township Councilman James Vassanella speaks about the former K Mart property during the November 10 Township Council meeting. The topic of what’s to be done with the former K Mart building in Rutgers Plaza generated some spirited discussion at the November 10 Township Council meeting. The topic was broached by several members of the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce, who …

Levin vice president Sidney Singer talks to the Planning Board at. the special October 12 meeting. Township residents packed the Council chambers on October 12 for the chance to give the Levin Management Company their thoughts on the plan to turn the former Kmart building in Rutgers Plaza into a four-story apartment building. Those thoughts were not positive. Levin wants …

Map showing where retail applications for cannabis business would be located. Another six applications for cannabis businesses were voted on by the Township Council at its October 11 meeting. The applicants – five of which were for retail business licenses and one of which was for a cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler and distributor license – needed the Council’s certification that they …

Jim Cramer signs of a bottle of his Fósforo mezcal at Bottle Republic on Easton Avenue on October 8. Jim Cramer, of CNBC “Mad Money” fame, cringes when he’s called a celebrity. That holds true whether the source of that celebrity is his financial program, or Fósforo mezcal, his latest venture with his wife, Lisa Detwiller. “I’m not a celebrity …

Retail Cannabis Application Sites Another 38 applicants for cannabis businesses were certified as having met Township regulations at the September 14 Township Council meeting. Of that total, 34 of the applications are for retail business licenses and four are for cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler and distributor licenses. The applications are before the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission for final approval. It’s not …

Township residents have another choice for tacos, burritos and quesadillas with the August 29 grand opening of Bubbakoo’s Burritos at 1340 Hamilton Street. The 14-year-old restaurant chain offers a variety of Mexican favorites, with the added twist of several “signature flavors” that range from mild to hot. The store’s owners come with experience in the chain, having operated a location …

Performance Rehab is opening a new center in Bridgewater. (Photo: Performance Rehab). Submitted by Rey Bolic of Performance Rehabilitation. Performance Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine orthopedic group, with an office in Somerset, is opening a brand-new surgery center in Bridgewater.  Founded by Dr. Ronald Spiaggia over two decades ago, Performance Rehabilitation consistently adds additional and special services connected to orthopedics. Performance …

Township resident and former state Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, right, assists with the ribbon-cutting at Apna Bazaar. Boasting that it’s the largest South Asian food market on at least the East Coast, if not the country, Apna Bazaar Farmer’s Market opened its doors August 4 with a little bit of religion, food, and of course, music and dancing. This is the …