Give advice to Hoboken businesses!
1/10/2009 Bump:
For those that missed this story – please provide your (helpful) tips and suggestions to local Hoboken businesses! We do not want any empty storefronts to be replaced by giant commercial chains! I got many compliments from readers about this story – and that it was “such a great idea!”
1/8/2009:
Hoboken411 tries to paint a realistic picture of what’s transpiring in town. Business, politics, quality of life and so on. However, that doesn’t always mean doom, gloom and general negativity!
Since most of us believe we’re in some kind of economic “funk,” perhaps now would be a good time to open up the “suggestion box” and provide a source of helpful tips that we, the almighty residents (and H411 readers of course) might want to give the local businesses, whether it’s a bar, restaurant, retail shop, service company or otherwise.
What can Hoboken businesses do to survive?
Now I’m serious here, please don’t use this particular entry to express your crude frustration or insulting zingers about a business that you are not happy with. If it’s mean-spirited or nasty, I’ll remove the comment.
This post is designed to (hopefully) provide constructive feedback and/or advice to any business or sector in Hoboken. You can name a business as long as whatever advice is genuinely meant to help them.
I’ll throw a couple snippets out there that would be considered helpful:
- “It’d be nice if (name store here) carried lower cost items. That might help draw in some customers.”
- “Most stores in town close too soon. Maybe if they opened at 2pm, and stayed open later – that could benefit them.”
- “Encourage friends to shop together. Offer some kind of substantial bulk discount?”
- “Same thing with restaurants. Encourage large groups where a chunky deal can be reached.”
- “More places need 1/2 portions on their menu. That’ll help lower costs (and keep the weight down!)”
Additionally, if you feel there’s a niche in Hoboken that hasn’t been filled yet – mention that as well. Such as:
- “Hoboken has many similar restaurants, and not enough ethnic food. Perhaps some places can add some spice to their menus?”
- “We need more 24 hour places uptown. Nothing past 8th street is open late!”
With so many Hoboken411 readers living, breathing, and socializing in Hoboken – it would make sense for the local business owners to see what you have to say.
So what advice do you have?
Hoboken NJ
153 Responses to ** Give advice to Hoboken businesses! **
June 3rd, 2009 |
Fran’s = yummy.
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June 3rd, 2009 |
I would love to see more restaurants who deliver on delivery.com or allmenus.com. It’s not always easy to find up-to-date menus online when I want to order in.
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June 4th, 2009 |
Thanks!!
In response to estevens who said:
Fran’s = yummy.
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August 4th, 2009 |
Has anyone noticed PSE&G added a $5.95 convenience fee to online payments?
What a farce! Somehow Western Union handles the transaction. I almost thought i was being scammed.
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September 15th, 2009 |
Can anyone recommend movers?? I’m moving Sat the 26th and was going to use White Glove who I’ve used before, but despite saying they only charge the hours worked at $110 (I’m moving to the bldg next door and only have bedroom furniture so this is going to take 2 hours tops), said it would be $440 minimum. Would appreciate recs, need to book asap! Or let me know if you have strong (normal) friends that might like to make a couple hundred bucks!
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September 15th, 2009 |
Try L&L Van Lines. They seem to be able to move anything in or out of any space!
In response to bsrm who said:
Can anyone recommend movers?? I’m moving Sat the 26th and was going to use White Glove who I’ve used before, but despite saying they only charge the hours worked at $110 (I’m moving to the bldg next door and only have bedroom furniture so this is going to take 2 hours tops), said it would be $440 minimum. Would appreciate recs, need to book asap! Or let me know if you have strong (normal) friends that might like to make a couple hundred bucks!
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September 15th, 2009 |
I’ve used Tommy’s as have many of my friends. Come in at or under quoted price, show up and get the job done. I would highly recommend them.
In response to bsrm who said:
Can anyone recommend movers?? I’m moving Sat the 26th and was going to use White Glove who I’ve used before, but despite saying they only charge the hours worked at $110 (I’m moving to the bldg next door and only have bedroom furniture so this is going to take 2 hours tops), said it would be $440 minimum. Would appreciate recs, need to book asap! Or let me know if you have strong (normal) friends that might like to make a couple hundred bucks!
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September 22nd, 2009 |
Papa John’s pizza delivery in Hoboken? Does anyone have the skinny on this? The nearest branch is on Central Ave in JC (sounds like a recipe for a cold pizza) but they continue to spread flyers in Hoboken. Tried to order online once but got prompts saying they don’t service 07030. Is the pizza any good? Is ordering a pizza on the phone and trying to get a fair shake a house of mirrors like Dominos (don’t get me started on ordering from Dominos)? Maybe 411 could put up a piece on this? Desperately seeking unbiased reviews: it’s time to look “outside the box” on local pizza, they all just don’t give a good G-d damn anymore: expensive as a rule, often cold / late, always indifferent about customer satisfaction.
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September 22nd, 2009 |
BTW – Benny – please come home, no questions asked, I’ll pay whatever you ask within reason, all is forgiven. I don’t expect the old coupons on the box (10 coupons for a free pizza), but could the delivery pizza at least resemble what I grew accustomed to over the course of 20 years?
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September 23rd, 2009 |
I dont want to get my hopes up but there use to be a store on washington “Amazing Ray’s” ( paneri bread location)That for the 18 months it was open was the best store hoboken ever had,
I saw the guy who ran it. walking up and down Washington st ,
he told me that he is working on somethings and if the landlords
stop sniffing glue he might be able to open in next 6 months…
He said out of his 4 stores hoboken was great,but in 2003 he got fed up dealing with crazy rent quotes for new space and he gave up, He said that he still has a steady stream of customers (from hoboken)who shop in his store on Bergenline ave (union City?)but that his clientele there have different needs so he doesn’t carry most of the discounted better merchandise that worked so great in hoboken. My fingers are crossed!! I’llnever forget going into that store for the first time and seeing big bags of terra blue chips for 99cents!!! ( so what if they were close (3 weeks about) to their best eaten by date, the bag dint last the walk home!
In response to nanran who said:
The problem with most commercial space on Washington Street is that property owners copntinue (brainlessly) to ask enormous rents. The property owners have leveraged their assets to the eyeballs and they NEED $9000 a month for a 1,000 square foot store in order to pay their mortgages. The only kinds of businesses that can afford these rates are national chains and franchise operations who don’t care as much. Small, interesting boutiques, galleries, crafts stores, kids stores have no chance in the current environment. You have to sell a LOT of coffee and pastry to make that kind of rent. The independent stores that hang on on Washington Street do so because they have very old leases (signed 10 – 15 years ago) or because the proprietors own the buildings.
As far as Trader Joe’s goes – I would LOVE it. They have a very specific business model and the reason they can offer such low prices is because they pay very low rents. They tend to locate in commercial spaces that are not big enough for modern supermarkets/mega drug stores. So they can get a deal. Jefferson Trust would be a great place for them because their brand identity is so strong that people will SEEK OUT the stores wherever they may locate. Foot traffic is not as important. They have also had great success in urban areas where parking is an issue. Hey Mr. Fiore – why not call them and find them a spot???
Advice to business owners – have a sit down with your landlord and re-write the terms of your lease. There is no one waiting to rent your space no matter what the property owner says. Negotiate hard to get a reasonable rent for your business or go elsewhere. DO NOT get sucked into paying outrageous rents that you cannot afford. Look off the Avenue and invest the savings in signage and advertising. Those buildigs Out West have loads of empty ground floor commercial space that is now being used for parking and storage. Look for lower-priced lines to sell in your store. Fewer people in this economy are going to spring for $300 shoes. The margins may not be as great but you will move merchandise. Hoboken is NOT Manhattan and never will be.
I would personally like to see a women’s clothing store that has nice basics at reasonable prices – the Gap-ish. How about a shop that stocks Women’s sizes – stylish clothing for big girls. Crafts and sewing notions, basic stationary goods, expand Stan’s to offer more sporting goods so I don’t have to go to Modell’s. No more shoes, coffee, high-end clothing, nails or dry cleaners. Good luck business owners – it’s tough out there.
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July 15th, 2010 |
I have a business idea: what about a house-sitting service? I have the need for someone to sit at my place several times a year for a few hours, so I don’t have to be out of the office (while AC is getting repaired, while repairmen are working, etc). There have to be thousands of people in town who change their plans to sit around while a plumber tinkers with a leaky faucet, etc. Am I the only person who would pay someone $15/hour to “hold the fort down”?
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July 15th, 2010 |
I was just thinking about this service the other day. People tried it before, back about 10 years ago. I worked in Manhattan and remember it being advertised as some concierge or valet thing. I wonder why this never took off?
In response to The Professor who said:
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July 15th, 2010 |
@ Litteredboken: I think these service may start up, but then fizzle. I think the trouble is building a client base and overcoming the fear of having a relative stranger in your home. It would just have to be marketed VERY well and the sitters would have to be background-checked, but I think it could be lucrative and would be a life-saver in some situations to be able to call and “voila” someone is there to help!
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