Perhaps little else can sum up the overall feeling in the Secaucus business community more than the holiday message issued by Deputy Mayor John Reilly at the Dec. 10 Town Council meeting. “Stay safe and shop in Secaucus,” Reilly said cheerfully.
Business in Secaucus seems to be defying the national trends. Several new establishments have set up shop in the Plaza, including the communication store Wireless Hub and the revolutionary slim-down franchise called Curves for Women. While you can find wireless communication at Wireless Hub, they, oddly enough, also sell perfumes.
Curves for Women is a new concept in weight reduction that incorporates a number of short duration exercises that provide a full workout in 30 minutes. This is ideal for people who do not have the time to spend in traditional exercise programs or for commuters who can stop off at the center on their way home from work.
Both stores bring cutting-edge trends to the center of Secaucus and provide the services that residents no longer need to leave the center of town to find.
Although not well-known for it, Secaucus has been a kind of jewelry capital, covering a range of expertise. Susan Pirro of Front Street Jewelers says each store is a niche that provides residents with a full range of services. Her place covers 14-karat gold and silver items, while Stefano’s on Paterson Plank Road a few blocks away supplies a variety of specialty items as well as basic services. Bill’s Jewelers has the distinction of being the oldest jeweler in town with a well-established clientele, whereas Harmon Meadow Jewelers just across Route 3 at the Harmon Meadow Mall provides services to the busy professionals in nearby offices as well as the mall crowd.
Marra’s Drug, which marks the very center of downtown Secaucus, has nearly 80 years of history behind it, forming a foundation for other stores such as Papa’s Travel – another long-time business – and Family Video, the town’s only video store.
Downtown Secaucus also has its share of fine dining, from the home-cooking style of Italian cuisine of Mia Cuccina to the amazing range of dim sum offered by China Chef.
“We’ve been very busy,” said Pasquale Camporeale, Mia Cuccina’s owner. “We’ve handled a lot of business parties.”
While diners must bring their own alcoholic beverages to China Chef, it has a full cocktail lounge, and also provides space for large functions.
While cold weather kept the numbers down for the official tree-lighting ceremony this year, an increase in metered parking, and a restructuring of parking in the Plaza in particular, makes the center of town a more viable shopping district this year. Reilly noted that meters are free on Saturdays for the month of December, a tradition that has been ongoing in Secaucus for years. The town’s traditional displays in the center of the town, along with numerous merchants’ displays, help foster the holiday spirit here.
So in Reilly’s memorable words: “Shop in Secaucus” this year.