Togetherness for Joeyness and Shopping Local

About Town was humbled by the deluge of responses we received on yesterday’s column in support of and the young entrepreneur, Chef Joey Ghazal. When a community comes together to help out another member it is certainly a force to be reckoned with. We were touched by how many people who not only shared the column with their friends by posting it to their Facebook wall or Tweeting it, but by those who also passed around Joeyness’ menu and posted it in their offices next to the other take-out lunch options. Thank you to everyone who took the time to text, email or call to tell us that you went for lunch or ordered dinner from Joeyness. And more thanks to all those readers who discovered Joeyness when Chef Joey first opened his doors, and who remain his most ardent fans.

There was one comment posted that truly caught my attention because it’s an honest sentiment and one we all have had at one time or another about other places, now long gone from Main Street. After commenting that they had been to Joeyness, though not “in quite awhile,” the reader continued, “And with Paterson only 15 minutes away, the traditionalist has many options.” That is very true; we have so many choices about where to buy and eat our food (especially specialty foods), buy our clothes, cut our hair, but if we don’t support the shop owners in town that provide these services they cannot afford to stay.  The reader went on to comment, “However I do want to support our local businesses, and after reviewing it online just now, I will certainly make an effort to frequent him again.”

I applaud this reader for their honesty and commitment to supporting local businesses. About Town is sure that this reader struck a chord so familiar in many of us; they certainly struck a chord with us because now that About Town has talked the talk we are committed to following in this reader’s footsteps by walking the walk. About Town also loved this reader’s idea for a sandwich named “The Piccilicious.” Brilliant!

After talking to Chef Joey, and having just returned from Borders’ second reduction of their close-out sale, we were reminded of another situation in town: : The Last Supermarket Standing.” With the closing of Pathmark many people have turned their supermarket food shopping loyalty to Shop Rite in Palisades Park. About Town wholly supports Fort Lee’s own A&P on Lemoine Ave. because if we don’t, they too will leave. After all, they’re already in bankruptcy. When it’s too late, the cry of “How can Fort Lee be without a supermarket?” will resound throughout town, and the hopes of having another one come in would be bleak. As with all businesses, you have to support them if you want them to stay. Sometimes, in our little neck of the Bergen County woods, in order to retain our options we have to show our loyalty.

About Town has done price checks at both A&P and Shop Rite. Not only is the quality and cut of meats that A&P offers far superior to that of Shop Rite’s, but their beef, poultry, and fish are consistently cheaper because they run so many sales. In recent years, About Town has noticed that the cut and quality of Shop Rite’s advertised T-bone, Rib-eye, and Strip steaks has declined. The steaks appear thinner than the soles of our shoes; whereas A&P’s advertised T-bone, Rib-eye, and Strip steaks are thick, perfectly marbled rather than fatty, and better priced. More than once a month they have T-bones, Rib-eye, and/or Sirloin on sale for $4.99/lb.  To be fair, we did a grilling test. A&P’s steaks held up to the fire and went to the plate with a restaurant-quality sizzle. Sadly, Shop Rite’s steaks shrunk and were so thin that they almost disappeared compared to A&P’s steaks. And the kicker? Shop Rite’s steaks were more expensive. If you like grilling, next to Fairway Market, A&P is the place to buy your steak. Also, A&P’s produce section is blatantly fresher than Shop Rite’s.

If you know of a local business that is in jeopardy of closing, please let About Town know about it so we can make everyone aware. Maybe that’s the lesson of losing our Borders, gaining our voice. Let About Town be that voice to help spread the word and rally the locals. Because after all, this column is all About Town.