patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Business

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Hess May Sell Their Gas Stations, But Signature Toy Trucks Will Remain

Aficiandos of Hess toy trucks can rest assured that Christmas sales of their toy trucks will continue at the corporation's convenience stores.

Recent headlines announcing Hess Corporation's exit from the energy marketing and refining end of its global business will not affect what is perhaps its second-most-coveted consumer item after the petrol: the Hess Toy Truck. "The toy trucks which have been a tradition for 48 years will continue," a Hess spokesperson said, adding that "this November, the company will continue to sell the trucks at their stores." Since 1964, Hess Corporation has sold its classic toy trucks; offering a variety of collectible miniature trucks to consumers at the start of the holiday season each year in November. Despite the corporation's impending closure of its 1,350 retail gas stations, consumers will still be able to find the eclectic toys at Hess …

MY town

4:12 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013

It's a shame the newer trucks will never reach the same value of the originals. Too many collectors equals a flooded market . A dime a dozen now   more ›

Monday, March 4, 2013

Hess to Rid Itself of Its Retail Gas Station Businesses

The Woodbridge-based oil business will now divest itself of 1,350 gas stations, many of which operate in New Jersey and 17 other Eastern Seaboard states.

The familiar green and white Hess signs that dot the Woodbridge landscape and much of New Jersey may soon be no more. Hess Corporation announced Monday in a letter to shareholders at their annual meeting that it was divesting itself of its retail gasoline and convenience store operations, in an effort to restructure the company and improve its balance sheet. The move will affect 1,350 gas stations - many owned by Hess itself - that operate in 18 states on the Eastern Seaboard. The gas stations serve as many as 1.3 million customers a day, according to a report in Supermarket News. Hess did not say when it would begin either closing or selling off its gas stations, although a press release accompanying the news said that their closure, …

Comment_arrow

Ryan

2:49 am on Sunday, April 14, 2013

So why is it in NYC (specifically Queens and Bklyn), HESS is far and away the cheapest gas using a credit card purchase?   more ›

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Three Middletown Stores Get 5-Stars From Readers; Bagel Shop, 1-Star

Middletown-NJ Patch readers share their experiences and opinions about local businesses.

Update: Since publication on noon on Jan. 27, several new reviews have been posted on Patch about some of these businesses.  Did you know you can rate and review hundreds of Middletown, NJ-area businesses and restaurants in our directory? Businesses are rated on a scale of one to five with five stars being excellent and one star indicating a poor rating. Here are excerpts from a few of the recent reviews posted in January, 2013 by Middletown-NJ Patch readers: Five star ratings "Bought a washer, it was delivered the next day i found a leak, the owner came out and found that the leak was in my wall, Thank you for all your help!" - Read more reviews, good and bad, posted by customers of Community Appliance on Route 35, just past Kane's Lane…

KS

2:41 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013

I am not a customer of Hole Lot of Bagels because I simply don't live around that shopping center. However, I was really taken aback by this article. I can't understand why the Patch would not just publish a list of all of the Middletown businesses rated by readers, including 5-star, 4-star, 3-star, 2-star, and 1-star and let readers evaluate the readings and a sampling of comments. To profile …   more ›

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

How to Get a Small Business at Fort Monmouth

Fort redevelopers promise to bring in big employers to the fort. Here's who you need to call if you want your small business to be in on the action.

When Goldman Sachs set up its new headquarters in Battery Park City in 2009, it brought with it 8,000 employees who needed an eye doctor, a dry cleaner and someone to make them a cheeseburger, fries and a shake combo. To keep its employees humming the financial giant created a small town of sorts, surrounding its 43-story building with a mix of retail and service businesses. And since Goldman is in the business of banking and not sandwiches, it fostered the growth of those small businesses by providing the real estate and the customers.                     In Monmouth County the people behind the transformation of Fort Monmouth from military installation into live/work/play community are banking on a similar phenomenon, albeit on a much …

Friday, March 30, 2012

Three Sushi Places Are Patch Favorites

They topped the voting in this week's Readers' Choice survey.

Congratulations to Yumi of Sea Bright, Sono Japanese Restaurant of Middletown and Sogo Sushi of Red Bank. They were the top vote-getters in this week's Reader's Choice survey of Sushi places in Greater Middletown and the Two River area. Voting in our unscientific poll closed at 9 a.m. Friday but you can still add reviews of your favorites to their listings in our directory. Sushi spots in the survey included: The Bistro at Red Bank, Danny's (Red Bank), Downtown Cafe (Red Bank), Fuji Japanese Steakhouse (Shrewsbury), Izu Sushi (Long Branch), Kanji Steakhouse & Sushi (Tinton Falls), Kissui Sushi (Little Silver), Red (Red Bank), Sakura Sushi (Lincroft), Sansu Japanese Steakhouse (Fair Haven), Sawa Steakhouse & Sushi Bar (Eatontown), Sawa …

memm

9:46 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

I know its a bit delayed but I agree with you Ed.. Ichiban by far the best, and Takara a close second,, however, neither are in "Middletown or Two River" area.   more ›

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Best Buy to Close 50 Stores Next Year

The big box retailer also announced it will cut 400 jobs.

Best Buy has announced plans to close 50 of its 1,100 big box stores nationwide in 2013 and step up efforts to sell mobile and computing products through smaller, "standalone" locations. The company said it will save $800 million over the next three years by cutting 400 corporate and support jobs as well as the 50 stores. The announcement did not state whether any decision has been made about which stores will be closed. Best Buy reported a loss of $1.7 billion, or $4.89 a share for the quarter ending March 3, compared to a profit of $651 million, or $1.62 a share for the same period last year. The company said this performance was impacted by $2.6 billion in restructuring costs and other charges. "In order to help make technology work for…

Comment_arrow

Jesse

8:27 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012

I totally agree, Marc, but the Sayreville Lowes was there for years before they built the Marlboro one. The first Lowes anywhere near us was in South Plainsfield. Now THAT was a hike! I was thrilled when they opened the Sayreville one (actually I think it's Old Bridge) and I was able to cut that trip down a little. The one I miss the most is the Seaview Square one. I know it had to close for …   more ›

Sunday, March 18, 2012

More Patch-Smart Businesses Claim Free Listings

Here's the latest list of local places discovering how to reach new patrons through Middletown Patch.

Don't get left behind. You too can enhance your presence online this year and reach new customers for your local business. For free! Every local business gets a space on Patch. We've already done the legwork to create it for you. If you haven't seen it, we'd be happy to show it to you. If we missed you, we're ready to add you. And if you claim it, you have more control over how your business is presented online. These folks have recently claimed their listings on Middletown Patch: JerZcurls Gentle Dragon Acupuncture Tamara Latawiec, Psy.D. A Child's Place School Dawn's Personal Pet Care eMedical Offices A Patch listing gives your business a voice on Patch. Find it and click on the"claim it" button to become an active user. Your friends, …

Friday, March 9, 2012

POLL: Does Middletown Need a New White Castle?

They could still appeal the planning board's rejection of their Port Monmouth application

White Castle has been rebuffed by the Middletown Planning Board in its attempt to gain approval for construction of a new fast food restaurant at Route 36 and Main Street in Port Monmouth. The unanimous rejection by the board at its March 7 meeeting could still be appealed by the company, however. What do you think? Should White Castle keep trying and file an appeal? Do you favor the idea of a new 24/7 White Castle drive-thru in town? Cast your vote in our poll and add your comments below.

White Castle

9:17 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012

You people are ignorant! Some people drive hundreds of miles for White Castle!   more ›

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Patch-Smart Businesses Claim Free Listings

Here's a shout-out to some local places that are learning how to reach new patrons on Middletown Patch

Do you want to enhance your presence online this year and reach new customers for your local business? For free? Every local business gets a space on Patch. We've already done the legwork to create it for you. If you haven't seen it, we'd be happy to show it to you. If we missed you, we're ready to add you. And if you claim it, you have more control over how your business is presented online. These folks have recently claimed their listings on Middletown Patch: McCabe Dentistry Ama Ristorante Tuscana Compact Auto Body Dosil's Scuba & Surf A Patch listing gives your business a voice on Patch. Find it and click on the"claim it" button to become an active user. Your friends, neighbors and potential new customers get a better sense of who you …

Saturday, February 18, 2012

House Hunt

Middletown's White House Tour

House Hunt celebrates President’s Day weekend with some open houses with (mostly) white exteriors

You’ll feel positively presidential with the featured homes in this weekend’s House Hunt: Every open house is inside a white house. No, not THE White House. Rather, a look into some of Middletown’s many listings that feature a home exterior that’s actually white ... or off-white ... or maybe a little almond. You’ll have to go and see for yourself, because, frankly, some are just “white-ish.” Sure, it’s a quirky little gimmick to get you to eyeball the column. But you won’t regret perusing these properties that we obtained from Realtor.com, all with open house events this Sunday, Feb. 19. You can see the exact times and details about each listing by clicking the gallery photo and reading the caption. Oh, and that map to the right with the …

Got a Hot Tip?
 
 

Videos