Hometown Living

Build It & They Will Come

Business Owners Feel Swedesboro’s Streetscaping Attracts Shoppers

by Jesse Klein

SWEDESBORO -- The good news is that every merchant along Kings Highway in Swedesboro wholeheartedly believes that Streetscape has helped them to attract and maintain foot traffic. The new sidewalks, pavers, benches, planters, decorative flags and gas lamps have added a festive and inviting air to the historic area that have helped bring people downtown to shop and dine in spite of the recession.

And in talking with Councilwoman Diane Hale you cannot but be enveloped by her sense of rebirth for the town.

As she recounts at one time Swedesboro was the shopping hub of lower Gloucester County. “I know that with the competition of all the big box stores and chain stores we will not be the shopping mecca but I envision Swedesboro as a destination spot with our Historical sites, fine dining establishment, specialty shops and annual events.”

In the near future Phase 3 of the Streetscape project will be complete. This phase will run from Ashton to Church Street on both sides.

Hale said the borough will also continue to assist in filling the vacant store fronts and run events that benefit local residents and improve our local communities quality of life through arts and entertainment that also benefit the local businesses.

Even in these so called bad economical times, people are still investing in Swedesboro. A pharmacy is scheduled to open soon. This building will also include six condos, with four already sold.

The Swedesboro Plaza on the south end of town beyond the post office is just about complete and will include the following tenants: Rays Pizza, Brooklyn Bagel Loft, In Style Nail Salon, Salem Medical Group, a dry cleaners and the Auto Spa. Perfect Day Photography is also opening up a studio on the south end.

After getting off the phone with Diane, I thought I better check it out myself, so I went to join a friend for dinner in downtown Swedesboro and was gratified to see the town really jumping. On a midweek evening the lights were on and the people were out and enjoying the local dining and even well after 7 p.m. many of the store fronts were lit up and open for business.

Wandering into The Swedes Inn, I was met by the smiling face of long time owner Mark Beltz. Mark was beaming and the bar was hopping as he discussed the café’s business.

He remarked that the refurbishment of Kings Highway has certainly helped slow people down to admire the town and he is sure that it has helped make Swedesboro and his café a destination dining location.

He explained that to keep things interesting, he and Chef Elaine Seagrave had created a menu that offered different specialty cuisines. In fact one of the most popular nights has become Monday nights when he and the chef turn over the reins to their Hispanic and Latino staff that cook all the food.

The result is truly authentic fresh unique Mexican Cuisine that can be paired with a $4 margarita or a cold Corona for $2.50. Another fun night is Wednesday when Chef Elaine creates tapas or small plates which can be sampled along with flights of wine or the microbrew of the month.

THE SWEDES INN’s outside sidewalk dining area has become a popular dining experience during the warm weather.

Photo by Karen E. Viereck

Each night of the week Swedes Inn offers a different theme, which has proven to be recipe for success as the café was recognized by the Courier Post for best of South Jersey in fine dining for 2009.

Even more recently Swedes Inn is putting itself on the map as Chef Seagrave has won two face-offs in a row in the South Jersey Chef Wars. Her first victory came against Dream Cuisine from Cherry Hill. Toni Beltz said it was a memorable event as the competitions French Chef threw a fit when he lost as well as a few wine glasses.

Swedes went onto round two and recently beat the Barnsboro Inn. In the next round Seagrave will display her talent against the Chop House of Cherry Hill.

Mark and his wife, Toni are proud of their Chef and the restaurant’s success and are as enthusiastic and committed to their business as they were when they started out 30 years ago. To learn more about their specialty menu and upcoming music calendar of events go to www.swedesinn.com .

The recent Jazz fest on Oct. 17 went well for all the local venues in spite of the cold and rainy weather. As Toni put it, “There was a buzz in the air.”

I had to agree as I meandered up Kings Highway to Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant. That evening brothers Robert and head chef Enrico Botto were both in the house. “We are committed to excellence in all that we do.”

He said that belief transcends into taking care of the staff and retaining the best employees, and each year we reinvest in our property. “We are grateful that the town of Swedesboro has improved the downtown because it mirrors our commitment to excellence and helps showcase our beautiful dining establishment.”

Business was brisk for a week night and people were enjoying getting in from the cold and watching the Philles on the big screen TVs in the bar and dining area.

More than just a fine dining establishment, Botto's is also proud of their local supermarket that offers fresh local produce fine meats and homemade specialties. Enrico is particularly proud of the Botto’s line of specialty sauces as well as local favorites like stuffed hot peppers and his mother’s lasagna.

Botto’s also offers catering and has an online gift shop that can ship Botto’s specialties including their homemade sausage and meatballs as well as specialty desserts to friends and family all over the country. Great as a holiday gift idea check it out online at www.bottos.com.

As I ventured across Kings Highway I noticed the brightly lit store front of Mosaic Mojo. Jaqueline Davis owner and mosaic artist was open for business. Jaqueline makes it a point to be open on mid-week nights not only to draw the attention of local diners but to offer classes in mosaic and decoupage.

She said it was a great family learning opportunity. Mosaic classes are held every Tuesday and Wednesday on an open enrollment basis for just $15 per session plus cost of materials.

Jaqueline enjoys hosting birthday parties or scout troops and her lovely store also makes a great hang out for a girl’s night out. As her brochure suggests, “bring your next wine and cheese gathering to me for some instructional and relaxing entertainment”.

Jaqueline opened on Feb. 27, 2009 and had a busy summer and though the start of the school year slowed things down a bit she sees things picking up as the holiday season approaches. Classes make a great gift idea, or bring in your own project and turn it into a memorable keepsake or gift for a loved one. To see more about the shop visit www.mosaicmojo.com.

Up the street a bit is one of my favorite destinations, Tribeca Hair Studio.

Run by long time area resident Alice Montgomery, she said that business “has never been better.

It’s been five years now and business is fabulous because of my terrific staff and our incredibly loyal clientele.”

Montgomery believes that her salon’s success is due to the fact that she and her staff believe in a highly personalized and customer focused experience that includes being up on the latest hairstyles and using only exclusive high end products for your hair.

Petals & Paints Florist, Tribeca Hair Salon, and Berrios & Sons Groceries are enjoying the downtown revival of the business district in Swedesboro.

Photo by Karen E. Viereck

Alice has recently recruited two talented new stylists, and yet, “We have become so busy that we can often no longer accommodate walk-ins. But I will never forget where we came from.”

If we have someone that we can not accommodate and they want same day service, she said, she knows that she can refer them to “A Cut Above”. Or if they want nail services or tanning she sends them to Salon Bridgette.

“Streetscape has made the downtown more inviting. I am grateful that our salon has continued to thrive in the recession.” Alice and her team have their own recipe for success: “We do not let our customers wait. The idea is to give them a complete relaxation experience at a reasonable price. We have always sought to offer a New York level experience that is right around the corner” and while the stylists live up to their “cutting edge” reputation the price will not leave you staggering down Kings Highway.

Alice also stays active in local charity efforts including Locks for Love and offering special services to local area women who may seek special services such as custom designed hair pieces as they undergo chemo. “I am committed to making a difference as these brave individuals battle cancer and I will do whatever I can to make them feel comfortable about their appearance.”

For more information on Alice and her talented team visit www.tribecahairstudio.com

Next I wandered into the Sweetsboro Pastry Shoppe and I couldn’t help but be tantalized by enticing smells and confections of every kind.

Mark Beltz of the Swedes Inn said the Pastry Shoppe is “remarkable and a great addition to the town.” Specializing in all that is delicious the Shoppe has a generous supply of cookies and cupcakes and is at the ready to bake and decorate cakes for every special occasion.

Local blogs state “it is awesome”, so hats off to owner Karen Morrison on her successful Shoppe that opened just three years ago and has become a local favorite.

My last stop was Hollywood Grooming where you can “treat your pet like a star.” Down the stairs I went to be met by a magnificent white giant poodle who in spite of my recent dining indulgences, probably outweighed me by a few pounds.

This happy fella should be the regular welcoming committee as he clearly loved having his hair done in the immaculate establishment. Owner Julie Davis who relocated to this spot on Kings Highway said that business is great, and that she recommends that every pet owner remember their favorite pooch with a gift of grooming this holiday season.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, Julie welcomes dogs of all makes and models and if the big guy I met is any indication, I would say your pet will come out looking and smelling a sweet as a holiday cookie. For times and a list of services check out their site at www.hollywoodgrooming.net.

I left downtown Swedesboro feeling upbeat and optimistic about the little downtown that has become a thriving heartbeat within Gloucester County. No longer is it the “Wild West” that Mark Beltz remembers of 30 years ago.

Thanks to the efforts and investments of local business owners, taxpayers, and the hard work of town officials, Streetscape is a reality and Swedesboro has been transformed from the “hole in the donut” to the hub of the wheel.

MATTIONI, attorneys at law are one of the many professional offices making their offices in the many Victorian homes along Kings Highway. Some residents and business owners compare the town with it’s improvements to Haddonfield.

-- Photo by Karen E. Viereck