A quick roundup of new or notable business in the Bergen-Lafayette area.
Paisano’s – 366 Bramhall Avenue
Paisano’s Corner Store opened up at the beginning of summer, 1 block away from the new Berry Lane Park. Micaela Perez and her family, originally from Guatemala, opened their store in order to provide Latin ingredients and products that they themselves couldn’t find in the area. The Perezes, who live upstairs, offer homemade empanadas and other tasty Latin offerings as well as serving as a grocery for the neighborhood. Get some house-made coffee, pick up a new charger or headphones for your phone or grab some snacks and head out to the park!
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Taproot Organics – 511 Communipaw Avenue
What started as a side-gig and quickly became a business in Upper Manhattan back in early 2012 has become a notable addition to our community in the past year. Taproot Organics moved from their studio and opened their first store in the heart of Bergen-Lafayette, just steps from the Junction and will be celebrating its 1-year anniversary this month. Husband and wife team, Daniel and Zaida Grunes (along with their three awesome kids) have created some amazing soaps, moisturizers and all sorts of grooming products, including soap for your dog!
As the business grew their goods were sold at markets all across New York City, Westchester and New Jersey. This year they have even joined the Arlington Park Farmers market.
Opening a store “gave us a chance to expand our offerings and refine the line even further,” Chef de Savon Daniel explains. “People pop in and ask what it is we are cooking. When I explain our ethos and what we do, they are floored and congratulate us on coming to such a great neighborhood to work in. We love Bergen-Lafayette so much, we are moving here this month.”
Follow Taproot on Facebook and Instagram
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Best Deal 99 Cent Plus Variety Store – 555 Communipaw Avenue
A new convenience store has opened up on Communipaw, kitty-corner from Crown Fried Chicken. Mohammad Shauk lived right next door to the store 30 years ago and wanted to return to the area when opening his store. “We wanted to give the community a store that had dollar options as well as name brand goods and high-end electronic accessories similar to what you would find in a Walgreens.” The store is bright and clean and welcoming and while I was there, Mr. Shauk handed out a free soda to a first time customer. Friendly indeed! You can find home improvement items, kitchenware, school supplies and baby gear as well as snacks, drinks and other convenience items. Tell him Jersey Digs sent you!
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Busters Food Truck
Bergen-Lafayette locals chefs Glenn Trickel and Fidel Hernandez are taking their amazing cooking skills on the road with Buster’s Food Truck. Glenn and Fidel opened Busters in North Bergen in 1999 and 5 years later moved their restaurant to Manhattan where they catered events at the UN, St. John the Divine, MoMA and more. They focus on “Spatinental” food which is “everyday food with health and wellness in mind” and will be using locally sourced products focusing on fresh, wild caught, sustainable seafood and vegetarian foods. They also teach healthy cooking classes through the JC Health and Human Services Dept. These classes focus on Child Care Providers and is called Healthy Sprouts and they are also available to cater. Buster’s opened last week and can be found prowling around the Hub, Berry Lane Park and the Junction.
Follow them on BustersNYC.com, Busters Facebook as well as Juice Me Couture.
