Spring 2011 - Mount Prospect Partnership

Board of Trustees
Officers
Fred Williams
President
Michael Sheehan
Vice President
MPP News
The Newsletter of Mt. Prospect Partnership SID
Chris Virginio
Secretary
S PRI N G
Jose B. Cohen, CPA
Treasurer
Hon. Anibal Ramos, Jr.
North Ward Council Member
Members
20 11
MPP Security Team Success Story!
Arcelio Aponte
City of Newark,
Economic Development
Once again MPP Security Team saved the day!!
Arthur Badillo, M.D.
Sylvester Bautista
Julia Ferreira
Felix Lopez Montalvo, Esq.
In recent events a suspicious individual tried to steal a
vehicle on Mt. Prospect Avenue in broad daylight. His
attempt was successfully stopped by the rapid intervention of our Security Team.
Mario Moyano
Our Security Team was alerted by Felix Lopez Montalvo who owns a law practice on Mt. Prospect Avenue.
The Newark Police Department was contacted and as
seen in action movies, the security officer ran after the
suspect who was then arrested by police.
Mario Puorro
Ronald Ollie
MPP Staff
Frank Petolino
Executive Director
Iris J. Torres
Associate Deputy Director
Security Officer Jake Torres
MPP Security Team
At MPP we work diligently to make Mt. Prospect Avenue a safer and cleaner corridor. Our Security Team
has proven to be an effective crime deterrent and success stories like this one prove
it.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
MPP SID Biz
2
Around the
Neighborhood
4
News You Can
Use
7
Business
Directory
MPP Spotlight
10
12
MPP Security Team is your team...so next
time they stop by your store to check in,
communicate your concerns and also congratulate them for a job well done!!
Newark Police Department response
to the scene and broken window of
vehicle involved in the hijack attempt.
For more information on
MPP Security Team hours or
Business Check-In
contact our office at (973)482-200
Get the latest on FREE benefits for Newark Small Business owners on page 7
A MESSAGE
FROM
MT. PROSPECT PARTNERSHIP
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DEAR STAKEHOLDER, FRIENDS
Frank Petolino, MPP
Owner of Petolino Florist
AND NEIGHBORS,
As you can see from our front page, our security team and our board members (Felix Lopez Montalvo) are diligently at work providing security for Mt. Prospect
Avenue. Due to the recent layoffs in the Newark Police Department, we will be looking to expand the working hours of our security team (Sterling Security) during the
summer months. Our finance committee will be meeting shortly, to see how many
months we can financially sustain the extra coverage. Our security team, along with
the cooperation of the Newark Police Department, has reduced criminal activity along
Mt. Prospect Avenue, over the past two years, by 35%, and we look to sustain those
figures during this difficult financial time in our City.
Spring is finally here!! Our spring/summer banners are up and we will soon be
planting our flower barrels with beautiful summer plants to make the business district
a more desirable place to shop and work. In late summer or early fall, we will be installing new garbage receptacles along the business district. We feel that this will be
an added incentive, along with the great job our clean team is doing, to keep Mt. Prospect clean.
Due to changes in the design of the continuing Mt. Prospect Streetscape Project (Heller Pkwy. north to Tiffany Blvd.), the start date has been moved forward to
late fall of 2011 or early spring of 2012. The original design incorporates a bike lane,
on both sides of the street, from Heller Pkwy. to Tiffany Blvd. After much discussion
on how it would affect business, we are not sure whether the bike lane will be part of
the project or not. Any redesign may delay the project for a few months, but rest
assured that it will happen.
I would like to wish all of you a great summer!! Get outside, enjoy our parks,
the beautiful Newark Museum, the Jersey shore and come visit us on Mt. Prospect
Avenue, your premier business district in Forest Hill.
Sincerely,
Frank Petolino
Executive Director, Mt. Prospect Partnership
PAGE
President’s Message
Mount Prospect Avenue Stakeholder,
This past month members of the board, stakeholders and other community service organizations like the UEZ
came together to share and develop fresh ideas of our vision to continue improvements in the neighborhood
and to build a comprehensive strategy for Mount Prospect Avenue.
This vision will help us to better understand and define the services needed and to deliver on them by targeting
those priorities identified during our meetings. As we work to define these priorities for improving the neighborhood we continue to focus on delivery of our existing services which has provided us a cleaner and safer community to live, shop and to do business in. Our enhanced initiatives will be communicated in upcoming newsletters as they are finalized and turned into action items.
As we develop a long-term strategy we will continue to:

Optimize our existing security services and increase clean services which includes graffiti removal

Assist in better supporting businesses and merchant services in the neighborhood with existing programs
like UEZ’s Facade improvement

Provide neighborhood events to involve our community
These services are core to delivering on our vision and for realizing a more prosperous community. Continue to
stay tuned to these and other upcoming activities to improve and support our community as we provide more
details in future publications.
“Join with us to make a difference”
Regards,
Fred Williams / MPP President
- MPP Board of Trustees
2011 Meetings
February 8
April 12
June 14
August 9
October 11
December 13
3
PAGE
4
Eat Local, Eat on the Avenue!
Mt. Prospect Avenue
has
some of the best food joints in
North Newark. Simple looking on the outside, full of flavor
on the inside. Each of them
offers a unique combination of
cuisines truly representative of
the Avenue’s diverse community.
In case you have not ventured
to Mt. Prospect Avenue, here
is a list of the “food joints” by
cuisine:
Hispanic Fusion
Danna’s Restaurant
Melanie’s Restaurant
Meson Reyes
Cuban
Omar’s Café
Polleria & Parrilladas Hiro
Deli
Cuba Bakery
Dunkin Donuts
Seafood
G&J Deli
Splash Fish Market
Although most might argue the
Avenue needs upscale restaurants. Others truly enjoy the
advantage of savoring delicious
authentic food at a fraction of
the cost.
We asked and you
picked...Omar’s Café
& Splash Fish Market
selected top favorite
FOOD JOINTS on
the Avenue!
Italian
Ecuadorian
Pizza Town Pizzeria
Toledo’s Restaurant
Chinese
Peruvian
Kwai Lam Restaurant
Santa Barbara Restaurant
Kwok Ping Restaurant
Lin’s Garden Chinese Restaurant
Selected BEST FOOD JOINTS on the AVENUE:
Omar’s Cafe
Sometimes we stumble on a good
thing, unexpectedly. This certainly
applies to food as well. Well in this
case, coffee and sandwiches!
From the outside, Omar’s Café appears to be small in size. Not so the
case as you enter the restaurant.
Nice layout and upstairs seating to
accommodate the daily crowds.
Omar’s Café
646 Mt. Prospect Ave.
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 483-7773
Splash Fish Market
676 Mt. Prospect Ave.
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 482-0676
MPP
NEWS
The retro decor makes you feel like your in a
cafe in Havana relaxing before smoking a Cuban
cigar. Owner, Omar Peguero is a genuine guy
who loves his business and treating customers
great.
Omar’s Café serves a variety of delicious sandwiches but famous for its Steak sandwich. Pair
your selection with great Cuban coffee and
indulge on an empanada or any of the other
mouth watering “antojitos”. Please don’t forget to try their refreshing fruit smoothies...specially the carrot and orange one grinded
right in front of you.
Visit Omar’s Café and discover what makes this
local food joint an Avenue’s favorite.
Splash Fish Market
Menu selections at this Avenue’s local spot are just a few
and they sell out quickly but
none of this matters when
you're chowing down on one
of the freshest octopus salads
or enjoying one of the most
succulent fish soups around.
Locals swear on their fish and
shrimp’s soups “super pow-
ers”...rumor has it the soups
will revive even the most
exhausted.
Splash Fish Market also sells
fresh fish per pound in case
your preference is to prepare
it at home.
Stop by and try:
√
Octopus Salad
√
Ceviche
√
Fish Soup
√
Shrimp Soup
√
Empanadas stuffed with
fresh crab or shrimp
...and mush more!
Splash Fish Market...a perfect
catch.
PAGE
MPP Banner Beautification Program transforming the Avenue...
MPP has worked incessantly for two years to
offer Mt. Prospect Avenue neighborhood
clean sidewalks, security patrol, graffiti removal, flower barrels and other beautification amenities.
A beautiful neighborhood makes residents
feel safer, it makes the neighborhood more
appealing, the merchants get more foot traffic -- everyone benefits. Reasons why MPP’s
effort will be concentrated on -- cleaning,
beautification, safety, marketing, and neighborhood identification, such as banners,
among other initiatives.
This year MPP installed 75 new banners
across the Avenue representing all the restaurants, rental properties, professional services and retail establishments the Avenue
has to offer. In addition to the seasonal banners installed last year from Elwood Avenue
to Heller Parkway.
Mt. Prospect Avenue’s potential is clear and
MPP’s mission is to ignite it and move it forward.
5
PAGE
6
New BUSINESS on the block!
Mt. Prospect Partnership
welcomes Palace Beauty Supply to Mt. Prospect Avenue!
Palace Beauty Supply is conveniently located at 674 Mt. Prospect Avenue. No more tedious trips outside your
neighborhood looking for beauty products...find what you need right next door!!
Owner Dania Carvajal recognizes the relationship between beauty products and feeling good about who we are
and how we look. Her main goal is to offer a relaxing and “feel beautiful” experience to her customers by carrying
the latest trends on high quality products at affordable prices. Anything from hair extensions, wigs, color treatment,
hair care, makeup to brushes! She knows the in and out of the beauty items at the store and will be able to make
recommendations based on your individual needs. Also, hair professionals on the Avenue will receive special discounts on products.
PALACE BEAUTY SUPPLY
Owners Dania Carvajal & Roberto Quezada
(973) 483.4716
MPP NEWS
PAGE
7
Did you know?
Brick City Development Corporation
(BCDC) takes a hands-on approach to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs develop and grow their business in
Newark.
BCDC’s team offers a range of services,
from technical assistance and training to low
-interest loans to help businesses identify
appropriate locations. They are deeply
committed to helping small, local, minority
and women-owned businesses thrive in
Newark.
CHECK OUT these
FREE benefits for
Newark small business owners !
BCDC small business services:
-Technical Assistance
Learn how to handle credit, accounting &
payroll, marketing, cash flow management,
insurance and so much more.
-Loans (Grow Newark Fund)
Loan funds designed to provide financing to
small businesses that do not meet the tradi-
tional eligibility requirements for small business
bank loans.
-Small Grocer Initiative
Helps Newark small grocery store owners
expand and build capacity to carry fresh fruits
and vegetables in an effort to increase nutritious, affordable food retail options in Newark.
BCDC is committed to guide small businesses
with the know-how and resources to start,
grow and expand!
For additional information on these and other
benefits contact::
Brick City Development Corporation
744 Broad Street, Suite 1110
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Phone: (973) 273-1040
http://www.bcdcnewark.org/small-business
Are you a Newark retail or commercial business?
Are you interested in being more profitable and expanding your business?
Would you like to offer your customers a 3.5% discount on purchases?
If your answer is YES,
the Newark Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) has the right incentives for you!
Newark UEZ Business MEMBERSHIP
benefits include (but are not limited to):
Newark UEZ
50 Park Place, Suite 820
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 424-4154

3.5% sales tax ONLY to attract more consumers

Pay NO SALES TAX when purchasing qualified materials
and equipment to help run and grow your business

Access to various resources and programs to help your
business succeed
www.newarkuez.org
Call (973) 424-4154 to find out how you can join this
FREE PROGRAM!
MPP
NEWS
PAGE
8
White Wines for Summer!
With each change of season, different rituals come out of hibernation. In
sports the baton is gently passed from football, basketball, and hockey to
baseball, golf, and tennis. Winter clothes are exchanged for summer
wear, and teenagers who "hung out" at the mall are now doing time at the
beach.
The ritual of drinking wine is enjoyed during all the seasons yet, there are
some seasonal tendencies. For most, summer is the time for white wines.
While there are several reasons for this, the most obvious ones are temperature and acidity. White wines served cold are simply more refreshing and
easier to drink in warm weather than red wines. Whites also possess higher levels of that crisp, tangy, mouth puckering acidity than red wines and it
is this refreshing acidity that keeps us coming back for more. Certain red
wines are summer friendly. Rosé's, French Beaujolais, some Spanish Ri-
oja's, light Italian Chianti, and Dolcetto, which by the way may all be
served slightly chilled. It is interesting to note that all of these reds are also
naturally high in acidity.
Keep in mind not all white wines are created equal because some whites
“White wines
are much better suited to summer drinking than others. The heavy oaked
(too often over oaked) Chardonnay can be heavy and overpowering.
served cold are
Wines very high in alcohol may also be wearing on the taster, and very
sweet wines lacking acidity may taste syrupy and cloying.
simply more
refreshing and
Let's take a look at the best white wines for this summer.
easier to drink in
warm weather
than red wines.”
“What is the
definition of a
good wine? It
should start
and end with
BEST WHITE WINES FOR THIS SUMMER:

SAUVIGNON BLANC
RAINBOW LIQUORS

RIESLING

PINOT GRIGIO
826 Mt. Prospect Ave., Newark, NJ
(973) 481-6677

SPANISH ALBARINO

MANZANILLA SHERRY

CHARDONNAY
Selecting summer wines is not too difficult, as they basically need to live up to
at least one of two criteria: inexpensive
and easy to drink.
a smile”
~William
Sokolin
Visit any of Mt. Prospect Avenue’s liquor
stores to keep white wines handy
through Labor Day!
MPP
NEWS
DISCOUNT WINES & SPIRITS
696 Mt. Prospect Ave, Newark, NJ
(973) 732-0325
NEW OM LIQUORS
672 Mt. Prospect Ave Newark, NJ
(973) 484-6191
Enjoy the summer and remember, always
--- "DRINK WELL"
PAGE
Summer Gardening Tips: Early to Late Summer
season. Make sure that they have
finished flowering before you start
pruning.
The ornamental garden
By early summer all danger of late
frosts should have passed and it's safe
to plant out tender summer bedding
plants, vegetables and hanging baskets.
Make sure you read instructions on
all your plants, some require more
sun than others and some vegetables
need to be staked after planting, such
as tomatoes, peppers, etc.
If there are any gaps in your ornamental borders, fill them with annual
bedding plants or pick up some potted lilies or other summer flowering
bulbs from the garden center and
plunge the pots into the soil.
Many spring flowering shrubs will
benefit from pruning in early summer
as this will give them time to make
the new growth necessary for next
year's flowers before the end of the
By Mid to Late Summer try to make
the time to deadhead your bedding
and repeat flowering plants to keep
them producing blooms over a long
period. This is a pleasant task for a
summer's evening so get into the
habit of taking a stroll around your
garden at the end of the day and
snipping or pinching off the spent
blooms. I try to do mine at least once
a week. It really makes a difference
in the amount of flowers that are
produced. Don’t forget to water and
feed!!
House plants
It should now be warm enough for
your house and conservatory plants
to come out into the garden for a
summer holiday which they will really
appreciate. Keep in mind that your
plants will receive 5-10 times more
light outside than inside, so put your
indoor plants in a shady spot in the
garden. Morning sun is the best! Your
indoor plants cannot take the light or
heat of the sun during the peak hours
of 11am to 3pm.
at their peak of sweetness and flavor.
As with your garden plants, vegetables need to be watered and feed on
a regular basis. Since most of the soil
in our area is heavy clay, make sure
you mix in some peat moss and other
organic material to loosen up the soil
so your plants will grow and prosper.
Forward planning
“I try to do
As you will be out in your garden
much more during the summer
months, take the opportunity to
assess your garden and make a note
of any changes you would like to
make - it always helps to take some
photos to remind you what your
borders looked like at various points
in the season.
mine at least
This is also a good time to order
some bulb catalogues and plan the
purchase of your spring flowering
bulbs - this is a very enjoyable activity
and one that can be carried out from
the comfort of your deck chair!
are produced.
The vegetable garden
In the vegetable garden harvest your
vegetables as soon as they are ready
to eat - that way you will enjoy them
Gardening Tips provided
by Frank Petolino, Owner
PETOLINO FLORIST
650 Mt. Prospect Avenue
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 481-6200
once a week.
It really makes
a difference in
the amount of
flowers that
Don’t forget to
water and
feed!!”
9
PAGE
10
MPP Directory of Businesses
Banks
Valley National
Gas Station
Exxon Gas Station—Jimmy Alas
Cleaners, Tailors, Laundromats
Jersey Cleaners
Lavarama Wash & Fold
Gifts, Novelty, Jewelry, Variety Stores
Botanica Oloa
Ely's Boutique & Gifts
Martinez 99 Cent Store
Variedades
Deli, Bakeries, Coffee, Specialty Food
Cuba Bakery
G & J Deli
Omar's Café
Pizza Town Pizzeria
Polleria & Parrilladas Hiro
Splash Fish Market
Dental Services
All City Dental Services
Darius Dental, LLC
Electronics
Metro PCS
Sprint
Boost Mobile
Eye Glasses
Clear Vision Optical
Florists
Petolino Florist
Funeral Services
Alvarez Funeral Home
Funeraria San Camilo
Groceries Stores, Supermarkets, Food
Markets
Caballo Blanco/Mavel Food & Liquor
Caribe Supermarket
Fine Fare Int'l Supermarket
Mt. Prospect Grocery
Mt. Prospect Live Stock Poultry Market
Pueblo Supermarket
Health & Beauty
Avenue Cuts
Chelo’s Unisex
Chi Spa Salon
Delores Beauty Salon
Divino Estilo Beauty Salon
Forbici Hair Studio
Glamour Nails & Beauty Salon—NEW!
Margarita’s Beauty Salon
Marienny Unisex Salon
New Prospect Nails
Palace Beauty Supply—NEW!
Tito’s Unisex Hair Salon
Unico Unisex
V.I.P Cuts
Who’s Next Barber Shop
Zeyne’s Salon
PAGE
11
MPP Directory of Businesses
Home Repair, Hardware
Masiel Valentin, Esq
Caceres Hardware Store & Supplies
Moyano Travel & Insurance
Weber's General Hardware Store
Pitman, Mindas, Grossman, Lee, Bross & Moore
Medical Services
Syb Travel
Casa Israel Adult Medical Day Care Center
Restaurants
Dr. Arthur Badillo
Meson Reyes—NEW!
Dr. Terry McSweeney
Danna's Restaurant
Dr. Javier Ponce
Kwai Lam Restaurant
Dr. Benjamin Sabido
Kwok Ping Restaurant
Forest Hill Healthcare Center
Lin's Garden Chinese Restaurant
Internet Medical Group
Melanie's Restaurant
Jersey Rehabilitation
Santa Barbara Restaurant
Mount Prospect Health Center
Toledo's Restaurant
Mt. Prospect Chiropractic
Mt. Prospect Primary Care Center
Newark Rehabilitation Center
NJ MedCare
North End Family Health Services
Wines, Liquors
Rainbow Liquors
Discount Wines & Spirits
New Om Liquors
Robert J. Agresti, DDS
Salerno Medical Associates
SN Family Dental Center
Pharmacies
Community Health Pharmacy
Forest Hill Pharmacy
Heller Pharmacy
Liss Pharmacy
Professional Services
DolEx
Felix Lopez Montalvo, Esq.
Jose Cohen, CPA
Joseph A Cubero, Esq.
Marie C. Fernandez Insurance Agency
Not listed here? Please call
(973) 482-2200 to be added
U.S. Postage
PAID
Newark, NJ
Permit No. 570
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
643-645 Mt. Prospect Avenue
Suite 2A
Newark, NJ 07104
Phone: 973-482-2200
Fax: 973-482-5900
E-mail: mppsid@verizon.net
www.mppsid.org
MPP Business Spotlight
Melanie’s Restaurant
Delicious food,
great ambience, friendly service at a fraction of the
price! Satisfy your craving for traditional Hispanic food at this “Mom
& Pop” restaurant.
The food is so authentic some might
say
is
almost
like
eating
at
grandma’s house. The menu options
guarantee you will find something to
please your palate, whether you are
a food fanatic or a picky eater.
Come EAT at Melanie’s!
Buen Provecho!
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
everyday of the week.
Melanie’s Restaurant
675 Mt. Prospect Avenue
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 484-8920