Update: 40+ Facebook Pages Matawan, Aberdeen & Keyport Residents Should 'Like'

Keep track of small businesses in the area through these Facebook pages.

Matawan-Aberdeen Patch first published a list of 25 small business Facebook accounts that all Matawan, Aberdeen and Keyport residents should 'like' on Nov. 24 for Small Business Saturday.  Since then, the community has shared numerous more small business Facebooks that should be added to the list.  Show your support! Like the Facebook pages below and share any more in the comment section.  Please note that we included a few businesses who have vowed to rebuild after Sandy as well, so you can keep an eye on their progress. Here are some places to start: Know a really great Matawan, Aberdeen or Keyport Facebook page for a small business that should be added to the list? Tell us in the comments section! Don't forget to include the link to the…

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Shop Local on Small Business Saturday

Just what is Small Business Saturday and why should you support it in the Matawan-Aberdeen area?

Big name national retailers take the spotlight on Black Friday as their deep price cuts pull in shoppers in droves. What about those mom-and-pop businesses all over the Matawan and Aberdeen area and beyond that are the backbone of America’s economy? Just when do they get their day? That’s basically the question that was asked back in 2010 when the concept of Small Business Saturday was born. Small Business Saturday is “a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities,” the U.S. Small Business Administration explains on its website. American Express gets the credit for founding the shopping holiday, which got its official start on Nov. 27, 2010, according to the Small Business Saturday Facebook page. …

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Aberdeen Economic Business Council to Hold Open Forum for Local Business Owners

Attendees will be able to discuss issues that impact their businesses with a panel that includes Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini, Township Manager Holly Reycraft, Zoning Officer Maxine Rescorl, and members of the Economic Business Council.

The following is a notice from Aberdeen Township: The Aberdeen Township Council and Aberdeen Economic Business Council will jointly hold an open forum for local business owners and businesses thinking of locating in the municipality on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Aberdeen Town Hall.  “We’re inviting members of the Aberdeen business community to join us for a discussion of the issues that they feel impact their organizations,” said Business Council Chairman Carmine Visone, co-owner of Home Away From Home Academy.  “By working together, it is our goal to improve the climate for doing business here for current and future companies.” Attendees will be able to discuss issues that impact their businesses with a panel that includes Aberdeen…

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JosephGhabourLaw

10:14 am on Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The economic impact of Sandy, while severe at shore, did affect most of New Jersey. Our prayers go out those who have lost their homes, and/or have had their livelihoods impacted. Small businesses, the backbone of our economy, were the hardest hit. http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ is the FEMA site for both individuals and businesses. Unfortunately for us, Sunday the 11th is when our office …   more ›

Crucial Audio for Businesses Damaged by Sandy

Conference call now available as online audio recording

A conference call involving numerous state and federal agencies providing information to businesses impacted by Sandy is now available online. The audio recording of a Thursday afternoon conference call with FEMA, the Small Business Administration and other business agencies can now be accessed at the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) website. Scroll about halfway down the page and look for the following paragraph: "Listen to a conference call that took place November 8 on government programs to help businesses recover from Sandy. Senior officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), US Small Business Administration (SBA), NJ Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the NJ Business Action Center were on …

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JosephGhabourLaw

10:15 am on Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The economic impact of Sandy, while severe at shore, did affect most of New Jersey. Our prayers go out those who have lost their homes, and/or have had their livelihoods impacted. Small businesses, the backbone of our economy, were the hardest hit. http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ is the FEMA site for both individuals and businesses. Unfortunately for us, Sunday the 11th is when our office …   more ›

Hurricane Sandy

Homegrown Effort To Help Bayshore Families In Crisis Gets Organized

The bustling humanitarian effort at a formerly vacant storefront to clothe, feed and fortify the unluckiest victims of Hurricane Sandy just keeps growing stronger.

Shortly after the winds and floods of Hurricane Sandy died down and the full gloomy picture of the devastation became known, local firehouses and churches and even a liquor store sprang up to collect donated goods for the storm victims.  But as word spread and the mountains of clothes grew, organizers began brainstorming a better, longer term solution. An offer was made to lend the empty Childrens Wear and Foodtown stores for 30-days, and the army of people volunteers moved in. Its been dubbed "The Beacon of Hope" by the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce members whose members are behind it.  The auto dealers Keyport Nissan and Hazlet Buhler have joined the Raine organization as major sponsors. A dozen restaurants, mostly from Hazlet …

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Hurricane Sandy

Seventh Annual Matawan Turkey Trot Canceled

Runners who preregistered will receive a refund, recreation director says.

The seventh annual Matawan Turkey Trot is canceled due to the ongoing recovery efforts in the wake of Sandy, according to Recreation Director Deirdre Ring. The 5K race was scheduled for Nov. 24, 2012. Any runners who preregistered will receive a refund. Anyone with questions may contact Ring at recreation@matawanborough.com.

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Moe's Brings Southwestern Food to Marlboro

The new restaurant is set to open at the end of July.

Moe’s Southwestern Grill is coming to Marlboro, and they are gearing up to offer affordable Mexican style food to the masses. Nori and Kashif Khan are two brothers opening their third Moe’s location, and their passion has continued to grow with each grand opening. “I love Moe’s. I’m one of those franchisees that can’t go without eating it. I’m so addicted to the food,” Nori said. In addition to its new Marlboro location, set to open July 26, the brothers own franchises in North Brunswick and on the Rutgers University campus. In the future, the hope to open in Holmdel and East Brunswick on plots they currently own. In Marlboro, the Khan brothers completely gutted what used to be Ricky’s Candy, Cones and Chaos in the Marlboro Plaza. After …

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Elvis Lives in Marlboro; He Is Serving Soft Serve Ice Cream

Lee Elvis has loved Elvis Presley since he was 3 years old, and he shows it in every way he can.

Lee Elvis has been emulating Elvis Presley since he was 3 years old, many years before Presley died, rocking out to the music of The King and getting paid for it. Elvis, who has lived in Marlboro for 16 years, said he began performing Presley's songs in hotels in New York when he was 11, making enough money to join the Musician's Union. "I was one of the earliest Elvis Presley performers," Elvis said. "I picked up the guitar at 7-years-old." And his passion has never died. In 1969, when he was 17, Elvis traveld to Las Vegas with his parents to see Presley open the International Hotel. After a week of hanging out at the hotel, meeting Presley's family and becoming close with the Presley family, Elvis found his way to Presley's dressing room…

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Shannon K. Winning

4:42 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012

I'm guessing this truck is stocked with King cones. Any of the peanut butter banana marshmallow variety?   more ›

Enroll in the Wine Academy and Become A Pro

Learn a little something about the wine you're drinking, and you may appreciate it more.

Felix Sanchez, Wine Manager at the Hazlet Wine Academy Superstore has a goal: uncomplicate wine. "Wine is not complicated," he said. "You pour it and you drink it." The Wine Academy is a comprehensive wine and spirits store on Rt. 34 in Hazlet, and they are expanding to Marlboro in February. At first glance, the store is a large-scale liquor store. Travel further, and customers will notice detailed explanations of imported and domestic wines, and knowledgeable staff for those that may not know what they are looking for. "Everyone knows something about wine," Sanchez said. "Certainly, everyone at least knows what they like." There is something for the average buyer, and something for the wine collector, with prices ranging from less than $…

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