BLOOMINGDALE
2 minute read
NorthJersey.com
BLOOMINGDALE — It took most area residents by surprise when Bodega Munchies opened its doors as a convenience store, smoke shop and deli at the site of the former Kings Corner this week.
"All were shocked or perhaps pleasantly surprised we went into this place," said owner Barak Joseph.
The location has had its difficulties, said Bloomingdale Councilman Joseph Graziano. The last time it was occupied was perhaps four or five years ago. "I think it lasted about a year," he said.
At issue is the store's location at a particularly busy corner where the easternmost portion of Butler's Main Street dead ends into Hamburg Turnpike. Even though there are a number of parking spaces in the small parking lot, getting out of the lot can be problematic.
Trying to back out onto Hamburg Turnpike where there is a nettlesome curve right where Main Street intersects it, can be difficult. So much so that over the years, the retail site has largely remained vacant.
Graziano said when he frequents stores in that area, he often finds parking along the street.
Still, he thinks overall the property is a good one.
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Mayor John D'Amato and Graziano said there's a good amount of foot traffic in that area and the downtown has attracted new stores and restaurants, including Kchicke'n roll, a Korean barbecue restaurant and Magpie Bakery.
Joseph said he and his partners were aware of the challenges, but as they began to renovate the site, they received encouragement from area residents and other business owners.
"We listened to what they told us," Joseph said. "We built our menu on what they said they wanted."
A case in point was the decision to add a Taylor ham egg and cheese sandwich to the menu. Joseph, who emigrated from Israel just over two years ago, said he had no idea what that was.
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"Good thing he didn't call it pork roll," quipped D'Amato. "We wish him the best."
D'Amato remembers when he was a boy the store was known as La Salle's. Over the years the property has seen a number of businesses, but most recently it has been largely vacant.
Joseph and his partners said they can succeed by providing top-notch service, a friendly atmosphere and hard work. The store, which currently is open from 6 a.m. to midnight, sells, CBD products, household products and has a grill.
"I am young and can put in the hours," Joseph said.
For those not wanting to deal with the parking challenges, Joseph said the business will work with Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash to deliver food, which will be available until almost midnight.
"Last night I was making someone a sandwich after 10 p.m.," Joseph said.
Still, he said, it is a work in progress. The coffee machines will be installed on Wednesday and the menu will soon be marketed to Butler High School students.