Bridgeway Senior Care & Rehabilitation Center now has a facility in Hillsborough, adding to its presence in Somerset County by giving a sister site to its location in Bridgewater. This is a move that, according to Bridgeway Community Relations Representative Marlene Smith, will help the center meet the demands of an aging population in conjunction with Avalon Assisted Living, which has already been a fixture in Hillsborough for years, while bettering employment prospects in the county. “The owners of Bridgeway Senior Care wanted to be able to meet the growing healthcare demands of the aging …

The children and families of Hillsborough officially have a new opportunity to learn through music. The opportunity? Kindermusik with Ms. Jenni. Who is Ms. Jenni? She’s Jennifer Esposito, a Hillsborough native and licensed Kindermusik instructor with a bachelor’s degree in music education. Obviously, music is a big part of Esposito’s life, and it is a gift she hopes to share with her fellow Hillsborough residents. “As a music teacher and parent, I have seen first hand how music and movement can positively affect a child,” Esposito said. “I wanted to give families in my hometown a place for …

Memorial Day approaches every year, and it serves as a reminder to Americans to honor and respect the military veterans who have made sacrifices in the call of duty. In the spirit of the holiday, one local company is teaming up with a non-profit organization to assist local veterans with spring cleaning. Hillsborough-based S&G Cleaning Services, which moved into town from its Somerville location in December, is teaming with Cleaning for Heroes, a non-profit cleaning services organization that has been operating throughout New Jersey since 2010 and provides free housekeeping services to …

The story of Petrock’s is an interesting one. It is a story that involves several different variations of a business that currently shares one name, yet exists as two separate entities. According to Bonnie Petrock, who owns Petrock’s Bar and Grille, and her brother Nick, who owns Petrock’s Liquors next door, the legacy of Petrock’s in Hillsborough began in 1961 when the duo’s parents opened up a liquor store and small bar, which was unique for its time in Somerset County. “We were probably one of the first liquor stores in the area, except for a couple small stores around here,” Nick Petrock …

Powerhouse Gym has become a well-established fitness destination in Hillsborough. Owner Ken Turash says customer service has a lot to do with his gym's success. “It’s not about price, it’s about service," he said. "It’s about having a staff who cares, and I think you’re going to see it right from the top from myself—I’m here every day—to the person working at the front desk, the personal trainers, the group exercise coordinators, child care people and our cleaning people. You’re going to get a hello and goodbye every time you come to the gym, and I think that carries its weight in gold.” The …

With its seventh anniversary under current ownership rapidly approaching, Bella Pizza on South Branch Road is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to continue growing in the community. “I always like to think outside the box,” said owner Akhtar Farzaie. “I don’t always like to market ourselves and the place like everybody else is doing.” How does Bella Pizza do it? Well, by using social media, for one thing. Bella Pizza promoted its appearance in Hillsborough Patch’s Reader’s Choice poll for best Italian restaurant over Facebook and, as a result, came away with the win as the best …

Iris Interiors, a Hillsborough-based interior design business owned by local resident Iris Houlihan, was recently bestowed the Houzz.com 2012 “Best of Remodeling” award for the Greater New York City area in the powder room design category. Houzz.com, which holds the contest annually, is a well-renowned interior design social network where architects, designers and homeowners can create and share design ideas using methods such as the network’s popular “Ideabooks,” where users will list designs and concepts of interest to them. The “Best of Remodeling” awards were voted on by approximately 1.2…

After seven years in Saddle Brook, Faithful Countertops & More arrived to Hillsborough around three months ago. So far, the results have been very positive. “So far, so good. We have a couple jobs, and I think we have more customers,” said Faithful Countertops & More owner Eric Tchorz. That was the goal, coming out of an industry-crowded area into Hillsborough, where business is less competitive for the store, which specializes in granite countertops, marble countertops and more. “There are so many companies in that area, so we moved here to grow our business. I think it’s a good move; I used…

With St. Patrick’s Day 2012 now in the books, one local café and catering company is coming off of what is, traditionally, one of its biggest days of the year. Culinary Creations, which is located at 434 Rt. 206 South in Hillsborough, typically hosts a weekend full of traditional Irish dishes that provide good reason to celebrate the holiday. “We always put our little twist on everything, but we stay true to form,” Andrew Pantano, owner of Culinary Creations, said. “All of our holidays—Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day—we make sure that we’re following restrictions and guidelines used back (when …

In this technological age, computer and tech-related “box stores” have been popping up all over the place. Dave’s Computers, located at 438 U.S. 206 near Five Guys in Hillsborough, offers an alternative: computer sales and service with a small-business atmosphere. “I’m trying not to be a box store; I’m trying to be more of a local store that’s here for the people and here to help people with their computers if they ever need a repair,” said David Molnar, owner and operator. Molnar prides himself on the fact that his business offers a no-pressure approach. Dave’s Computers is free of …

Children with special needs of all kinds throughout central New Jersey have a place to go to have their needs addressed. The place? Kidz on the Move Pediatric Rehabilitation Center, located right here in Hillsborough. Open since 2001, Kidz on the Move was started by Michele Diaz-LaManna and a business partner who later had to withdraw from the business due to health reasons. However, that turn of events did not stop Diaz-LaManna from continuing on with her calling as a pediatric therapist. “Of (my) 24 years (as a therapist), 23 and a half have been exclusive to pediatrics,” Diaz-LaManna said…

At American By-Products Recyclers, the business is being green. The company, located at 301 Roycefield Road, has been in the business of collecting and recycling waste cooking oil from restaurants throughout New York City and New Jersey since 1914, according to current owner Todd Magee. “We’ve always recycled it,” Magee said. “Our tagline is ‘Green since 1914.’” That was when Magee’s great-grandfather founded the company, which would convert the recycled waste oil into tallow soap and candles. This would last until approximately the 1950s, when cheaper substances to make soap and candles were…

For over thirty years, Pioneer Pet Care has been operating quietly on East Mountain Road in Hillsborough, specializing in a family-style pet care. Pioneer is owned by Vince and Pat DeMasi, a husband and wife team who oversee the entire operation of the kennel and pet care facility. For over three decades, the DeMasis have kept all of their pet care services in the family, without having once hired outside help. “To my knowledge, we are the only kennel in the area that is strictly owner-operated. We’re not just on premises; we are the only two that actually have the hands-on care,” Pat DeMasi …

Shoe sales and repair gave DiStefano’s Shoe Repair and Quality Footwear its name, but the shop isn't just about shoes. In the over 25 years owning and operating the shop, store owner Joe DiStefano has seen—and repaired—it all. “We do everything,” said DiStefano. “Orthopedic footwear, handbags and luggage. We shorten belts, (repair) backpacks, baseball gloves. We get some crazy things.” At age 13, DiStefano began his career as an apprentice in a shoe repair stop. DiStefano told Patch that this experience was vital to the success of his future business, as it allowed him to spend long periods …

It started with the vision of two 20-somethings—to create their own clothing line. And since 2008, Hillsborough-based Sincere Legends has handled the town's screen printing and other needs. Sincere Legends was founded by West Virginia alums Nick Inghilterra, 26 and Allie Plaskon, 24. The company started while Nick, an advertising major, and Allie, a public relations major, were students at West Virginia University. The duo turned to local screen printing shops to have their early designs—titled "Duck, Duck, Legend," "The Skyline," and "The Hopscotch" – printed until the pair grew tired of …

When having an interior space renovated, it is important to keep the client’s wants and needs for the end result at heart.  “Renovating a space can and should be a good experience for clients,” Maryjo Eckhard, owner and operator of Hillsborough-based Ins & Outs Decorating said. “It is very important to me to create a welcoming space that reflects each client’s individual taste, style and need.” Since 2007, Eckhard has been doing just that, serving Somerset, Morris and Mercer counties as an interior designer after over 20 years working in advertising and graphic arts. “Wanting a change and …

Flood-ravaged S&G Cleaning Services, forced to move out of Manville following the aftermath of Hurricane Irene back in August, has found a new home in Hillsborough. The business, owned and operated by Shirley Perlinsky and her husband, Gary, seems to be doing better than ever after a post-Irene transition that saw the business operate out of the couple’s Somerville home before moving into town in December. “When we heard we were going to get hit hard by Irene, we just got our computers and took to my house in Somerville,” said Perlinsky. “I set up my office temporarily in there, and we took …

With a larger emphasis than ever today on environmental awareness and sustainability, one local landscaper has taken it upon himself to take a more educated approach to his landscaping business. Judd Mandell, the owner and operator of Landscape Better in Hillsborough, is a 24-year veteran of the landscaping industry who started the company in September. His primary goal is to create sustainable landscapes that are done the right way, without too much impact on homes or the plants themselves. “The reason I started a more responsible landscape company is because I believe that proper …

After nine years in Hillsborough, Learning Express Toys will shut its doors Jan. 31, another victim of declining sales and the economic downturn. “Business is down 50 percent,” Owner Rick Grossman said. “It’s the economy. Internet sales too. Automatically, people save 7 percent with the lack of sales tax. Government officials have been silent on that. “I can’t fault people for wanting to save money, and, in this economy, people have needed to save their money,” he added. “People are out of work. They can’t spend as much.” Like many retailers, Learning Express has seen costs rise at the same …

It could be business as usual in Hillsborough over the past 12 months. The town's seen businesses open, close, or just hold on for another year over the course of 2011. During the past year, Hillsborough said good-bye to: Hillsborough Pharmacy—After 44 years, the business moved to Walgreens after a sale that closed on June 1. Pharmacy owner Tom Greco cited the inability to serve customers with the quality the staff felt they deserved as a top reason for the sale, though insurance, mail-order pharmacies, chain competition and cost constraints played a role too. Six or seven staff members made …