South River says 'bravo!' to new store downtown
BY MICHAEL ACKER
Staff Writer

MICHAELACKER Bravo has opened up on the corner of Thomas and Main streets in South River.

SOUTH RIVER - A new supermarket has opened its doors at the former location of the Ben Franklin Store in the borough's downtown section.

Bravo is leasing the 7,500-square-foot property at the corner of Thomas and Main streets.

The interior of the building was completely renovated for the new store, according to its manager, Jose Gonzales, of Yonkers, N.Y.

Business has been good at the new Bravo since it opened last month after four months of renovations, Gonzales said.

"We put fliers around town, in East Brunswick, and word of mouth [helped]," he said. "We renovated everything. We took everything out and replaced everything."

The work also included the construction of a new bathroom, the installation of new electric and plumbing, and striping work for the walls and floor, Gonzales said.

Bravo owns a chain of stores that has locations in North Brunswick and Florida, Gonzales said. It is part of the C-Town chain of individually owned supermarkets.

The process of searching for potential properties for the business took about 2 1/2 years, Gonzales said.

"We chose South River because of its potential," Gonzales said. "It is less expensive to develop new ideas and business there."

Gonzales, who managed a C-Town in Hoboken, characterized the new Bravo as a family business that employs seven local people.

South River Planning Board member Anthony Ciulla, who was chairman of the board last year before David Krempecki took over, said the building that Bravo moved into dates back to the mid-1900s.

Patrons can park along Main Street, Ciulla said, though there is a small parking lot at the rear of the building.

"It is reasonable to do something like that because it is not a change of use," Ciulla said. "It went from retail to retail. If there is a change of use, you have to go through parking requirements."

The business is in the process of creating additional parking spaces at the rear of the building, Gonzales said.

Borough Councilman Raymond Eppinger said Bravo seems to be a popular addition to the downtown area.

"It appears to be very busy," Eppinger said. "I hope it is very successful."

Mayor Robert Szegeti said the Ben Franklin Store had been in the building at 62 Main St. for about 50 years. The owner has since opened up a secondhand consignment shop elsewhere in town.

The borough's business district will benefit from the Bravo supermarket, Szegeti said.

"I am always happy to see a new business in town to dress up Main Street and attract more people into our downtown area," Szegeti said. "I wish them well. For those who don't drive or have difficulty getting out of town, it is an added benefit to them."