Secaucus-based Daffy’s discount chain to close its 19 stores
Secaucus-based Daffy’s Inc., a discount designer-brand chain, announced Monday that it will close 19 stores over the next several months, according to news reports. The company employs approximately 1,300 people and has six stores in New Jersey, eight stores in Manhattan, and one in Philadelphia. The process of closing and liquidating all of its merchandise will begin gradually. All associates will remain employed with benefits for at least 60 days.
The company said in a statement to the press, “This action was necessary due to the impact on its business of the uncertain economy and weak consumer spending and a lack of viable financial and business alternatives.”
This is the second Secaucus off-price retailer to close its doors within the past year, following off-price men’s clothing store Syms along with sister company Filene’s Basement, which both closed at the start of the new year after filing for bankruptcy in November.
Daffy’s was founded in 1961 by the late Irving Schulman in Elizabeth just a couple of years after Syms opened its shop in lower Manhattan in 1959.
The poor economy and competition from “big box” department stores have been blamed for the decline of the discount stores. Sears and Kmart stores, both of which have long histories and which have had to compete with popular “big box” stores like Target, have also slated 100 stores for closing this year.
Mayor to be honored by Hackensack Riverkeeper
Mayor Michael Gonnelli has been named as a recipient of the 2012 Friend of the Hackensack River awards. Captain Bill Sheehan and the Trustees of the Hackensack Riverkeeper announced the honorees on Wednesday who will be presented with the award during the 13th annual Hackensack Riverkeeper Awards Celebration and Sustainable Seafood Fest on October 4.
Gonnelli is being recognized for his professional and personal commitment to growing and maintaining a community that values clean water and protected habitats as much as it does clean streets and a vibrant economy, according to a press statement.
The Panasonic Corporation was also selected as an honoree for its longstanding encouragement of a strong community service ethic among its employees, and the company’s history of participation in Hackensack Riverkeeper’s Corporate River Stewardship program.
“As always, we have both an easy time and a difficult time deciding whom to honor,” said Captain Sheehan. “It’s easy because we have a lot of dedicated partners, and it’s difficult because each year we have to decide among them.”
Founded in 1997 by Sheehan, Hackensack Riverkeeper is the leading environmental organization working on Hackensack River issues. It serves as the independent voice of the river and the citizen steward of the Hackensack Meadowlands. Hackensack Riverkeeper is a founding member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, which is an association of over 200 clean water advocates around the world.
Secaucus residents warned about red foxes in area
The Secaucus Health Department has issued a notice in regard to the “high number” of local red fox sightings. Foxes have been spotted in Schmidt’s Woods and in Mill Creek Point Park.
The notice alerts residents that the creatures do not generally pose a safety or health concern for local residents and that steps can be taken to protect small pets, as well as to decrease the likelihood that the animals will roam near residential properties.
It is not uncommon to find red foxes in residential communities. Most predation occurs at night.
Residents are concerned that the foxes will go after their dogs or cats. The notice includes information for residents, including keeping their pets indoors at night and under supervision when outdoors. Foxes will dig or squeeze under poorly maintained fences and may climb over small fences.
The health department advises that residents scare foxes away with loud noises if seen in proximity of their property. People uncomfortable with the presence of foxes should remove attractants such as food sources, pet food, meat scraps, and compost piles, and fruit from fruit trees, exclude foxes with fencing, and employ scaring techniques.
The notice also warns residents to avoid foxes that appear sick or that are acting abnormally since they can carry contagious diseases such as mange, distemper, and rabies. A fox with rabies or disease may show signs of unprovoked aggression, impaired movement, paralysis or lack of coordination, unusually friendly behavior, and/or disorientation.
The town advises residents to call the Division of Fish and Wildlife (908) 735-8793 ext. 3 with any non-emergency wild animal concern. The emergency Control Unit or the DEP hotline (877) WARN-DEP should be contacted if assistance is needed with a diseased animal.